Statistical Measures
Two cell phone models have the same average battery life. Are they equally reliable? A single number doesn't tell the whole story: we need to know where the "center" of the data is and whether the data are bunched together or spread out.
Mean, median, and mode
Change the data and see where the mean (pink line) and the median (green line) land:
Seven students timed how long it takes them (in seconds) to solve a Rubik's Cube. The recorded times are: $$45, 52, 38, 60, 41, 55, 48$$ Calculate the median of these…
Seven students timed how long it takes them (in seconds) to solve a Rubik's Cube. The recorded times are:
$$45, 52, 38, 60, 41, 55, 48$$Calculate the median of these times. Remember to order the data first.
A young person saves different amounts of money weekly. Over the last $5$ weeks, his savings have been: $$\$100, \$160, \$120, \$140, 1 \$080$…
A young person saves different amounts of money weekly. Over the last $5$ weeks, his savings have been:
$$\$100, \$160, \$120, \$140, 1 \$080$$-
a) Calculate the mean of his savings.
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b) Calculate the median.
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c) Which of the two measures do you think best represents the "normal" savings of this young person? Justify your answer by mentioning the effect of the value $\$1\,080$.
A group of friends recorded the number of hours per week they spend playing online video games. The data obtained is as follows: $12, 15, 9, 12, 18, 20, 12, 14, 15, 10$…
A group of friends recorded the number of hours per week they spend playing online video games. The data obtained is as follows:
$12, 15, 9, 12, 18, 20, 12, 14, 15, 10$
Calculate the measures of central tendency: the arithmetic mean ($\bar{x}$), the median ($Me$), and the mode ($Mo$).
Types of variables and which measure you can calculate
Before calculating, ask yourself what type of data you have.
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Categorical: it is a quality (favorite color, phone brand, type of videos). They are not numbers.
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Discrete numerical: it is counted and takes separate values (number of "likes," of siblings).
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Continuous numerical: it is measured and can take any value in an interval (time, height, weight).
| Measure | Categorical | Numerical |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Median | No (there is no numerical order) | Yes |
| Mean | No (you can't add "blue" and "red") | Yes |
To carry out a study on the consumption habits of teenagers on a social network, the profiles of $50$ students from a middle school were analyzed. Classify the following…
To carry out a study on the consumption habits of teenagers on a social network, the profiles of $50$ students from a middle school were analyzed. Classify the following statistical variables obtained in the study as qualitative or quantitative (indicating whether they are discrete or continuous):
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a) Brand of cell phone used.
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b) Number of "likes" received on the latest post.
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c) Total time (in minutes) spent using the app during the day.
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d) Main topic of the videos watched (sports, comedy, music, etc.).
A group of friends recorded the number of unread WhatsApp messages they have at the end of the day. The data obtained is: $$12, 15, 12, 10, 18, 12, 14, 20, 12, 15$$…
A group of friends recorded the number of unread WhatsApp messages they have at the end of the day. The data obtained is:
$$12, 15, 12, 10, 18, 12, 14, 20, 12, 15$$Calculate the mode of this distribution and briefly explain what this value represents in the context of the exercise.
In a survey about the favorite color of 9th grade students, the following results were obtained: | Color | Frequency ($n_i$) | | :--- | :---: | | Blue | $12$ | | Red |…
In a survey about the favorite color of 9th grade students, the following results were obtained:
| Color | Frequency ($n_i$) |
|---|---|
| Blue | $12$ |
| Red | $8$ |
| Green | $5$ |
| Black | $5$ |
- a) What type of statistical variable is being studied?
- b) Calculate, if possible, the mean, the median, and the mode. If any parameter cannot be calculated, explain why.
Mean with frequency tables and intervals
When the data are in a table, each value counts according to its frequency: $\bar{x} = \dfrac{\sum x_i\, n_i}{N}$. If they are grouped in intervals, we use the class mark (the midpoint of the interval) in place of $x_i$, and the result is an estimate.
Grouped data: modal interval and median interval
With intervals there is no exact mode or median, but rather an interval:
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Modal interval: the one with the highest frequency.
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Median interval: the first one whose cumulative frequency reaches $N/2$ or goes past it.
The following table shows the number of books read by the students in a $2º$ secundaria class during the first term: | Books read ($x_i$) | Number of students ($f_i$) |…
The following table shows the number of books read by the students in a $2º$ secundaria class during the first term:
| Books read ($x_i$) | Number of students ($f_i$) |
|---|---|
| $0$ | $4$ |
| $1$ | $10$ |
| $2$ | $7$ |
| $3$ | $4$ |
Calculate the arithmetic mean of the number of books read per student.
In a basketball training session, the number of three-pointers scored by each player in 25 attempts was recorded. The results are shown in the following graph: From the…
In a basketball training session, the number of three-pointers scored by each player in 25 attempts was recorded. The results are shown in the following graph:
From the bar chart:
- a) Draw up the absolute frequency table.
- b) Calculate the mean, median, and mode of the three-pointers scored.
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
A survey was carried out on the daily time (in minutes) spent by students at a middle school using social media. The data has been grouped in the following table: | Time…
A survey was carried out on the daily time (in minutes) spent by students at a middle school using social media. The data has been grouped in the following table:
| Time (min) | $[0, 30)$ | $[30, 60)$ | $[60, 90)$ | $[90, 120)$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of students ($n_i$) | $12$ | $25$ | $x$ | $8$ |
Knowing that the mean usage time is $57$ minutes:
- a) Calculate the value of $x$ (absolute frequency of interval $[60, 90)$).
- b) Determine the mode (modal interval) and the median (median interval) of the distribution.
- c) What percentage of students spend $90$ minutes or more on social media?
The range: the simplest measure of spread
Here are the 10 battery-life values (in hours) for each model. Each dot is one test; if a value repeats, the dots stack up.
Both phone models have the same mean battery life (15 h), but model A always lasts about the same: range $= 16 - 14 = 2$. Model B is very inconsistent: range $= 20 - 10 = 10$. For reliability, a small range is a good sign.
The maximum temperatures recorded during a week in April in Monterrey were: $22$, $25$, $19$, $24$, $27$, $26$ and $21$ °C. Calculate the range of the temperatures for…
The maximum temperatures recorded during a week in April in Monterrey were: $22$, $25$, $19$, $24$, $27$, $26$ and $21$ °C. Calculate the range of the temperatures for that week.
In two $2.º$ secundaria classes, the time taken by the students to get to school was recorded. In $2.º$ A, the times range from $5$ to $40$ minutes, and in $2.º$ B, they…
In two $2.º$ secundaria classes, the time taken by the students to get to school was recorded. In $2.º$ A, the times range from $5$ to $40$ minutes, and in $2.º$ B, they range from $15$ to $25$ minutes.
a) Calculate the range of the times for each class.
b) In which class are the times most similar to each other? Why?
The dot plots show the points scored by two players in their last $6$ matches. a) Calculate the mean number of points for each player. b) Calculate the range for each…
The dot plots show the points scored by two players in their last $6$ matches.
a) Calculate the mean number of points for each player.
b) Calculate the range for each player.
c) Looking at the graphs and calculations, which of the two is more consistent? Explain what that means.
The mean deviation
The range only looks at the two extremes. The mean deviation takes all the data into account: how far, on average, each value is from the mean.
The marks in Salma's last $5$ English exams are: $6$, $7$, $8$, $5$ and $9$. a) Calculate the mean mark. b) Calculate the deviation of each mark from the mean (in…
The marks in Salma's last $5$ English exams are: $6$, $7$, $8$, $5$ and $9$.
a) Calculate the mean mark.
b) Calculate the deviation of each mark from the mean (in absolute value) and the mean deviation.
A health app has recorded the daily steps (in thousands) of a teenager over the last two weeks: $8, 10, 12, 8, 9, 11, 15, 8, 10, 12, 14, 8, 9, 10$ Represent these data…
A health app has recorded the daily steps (in thousands) of a teenager over the last two weeks:
$8, 10, 12, 8, 9, 11, 15, 8, 10, 12, 14, 8, 9, 10$
Represent these data in a frequency table and calculate:
- a) The range of the distribution.
- b) The mean deviation ($DM$) from the arithmetic mean.
A study was carried out on the battery life (in hours) of two different smartphone models, $A$ and $B$, conducting 10 tests with each. Model $A$:…
A study was carried out on the battery life (in hours) of two different smartphone models, $A$ and $B$, conducting 10 tests with each.
Model $A$: $14, 15, 16, 14, 15, 16, 15, 14, 15, 16$
Model $B$: $10, 20, 15, 12, 18, 11, 19, 15, 14, 16$
- a) Calculate the mean of both models. What do you notice?
- b) Calculate the range and mean deviation of each model.
- c) If you had to buy one based on battery life reliability, which one would you choose and why?
Standard deviation
Another way to measure spread is to square the deviations instead of using absolute value.
The goals scored by a futsal team in their last $5$ matches were: $2$, $5$, $1$, $4$, and $3$. a) Calculate the mean number of goals per match. b) Calculate the variance…
The goals scored by a futsal team in their last $5$ matches were: $2$, $5$, $1$, $4$, and $3$.
a) Calculate the mean number of goals per match.
b) Calculate the variance and standard deviation, rounding to two decimal places.
Two athletes train for the $100$ meters sprint and record their times with a smartwatch. Their last $5$ times, in seconds, are: Ana: $13.2$; $13.0$; $13.1$; $13.2$;…
Two athletes train for the $100$ meters sprint and record their times with a smartwatch. Their last $5$ times, in seconds, are:
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Ana: $13.2$; $13.0$; $13.1$; $13.2$; $13.0$
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Bea: $12.6$; $13.8$; $12.9$; $13.4$; $12.8$
a) Calculate the mean and range of times for each athlete.
b) Calculate the standard deviation for each athlete, rounding to two decimal places.
c) The coach must choose one of the two for the final and is looking for consistency. Who would you choose? Justify your answer.
Diego compares two transportation apps to go to school. On his last $8$ trips, the waiting times in minutes were: App A: $4$, $6$, $5$, $7$, $5$, $6$, $4$, $7$ App B:…
Diego compares two transportation apps to go to school. On his last $8$ trips, the waiting times in minutes were:
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App A: $4$, $6$, $5$, $7$, $5$, $6$, $4$, $7$
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App B: $2$, $9$, $3$, $10$, $4$, $8$, $3$, $5$
a) Calculate the mean waiting time for each app.
b) Calculate the standard deviation of each, rounding to two decimal places.
c) If Diego has exactly $10$ minutes available each morning, which app would you recommend to him? Justify your answer using the mean and dispersion.
Quartiles and the box plot
The median divides the data into two halves. The quartiles divide it into four parts with the same number of data values.
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$Q_1$: median of the lower half (leaves 25% of the data below it).
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$Q_2 = Me$.
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$Q_3$: median of the upper half (leaves 75% below it).
If $N$ is odd, the median is not included in either half. The interquartile range is $Q_3 - Q_1$ and measures the spread of the middle 50%.
The box plot summarizes the minimum, $Q_1$, median, $Q_3$, and maximum:
Each section (whisker, half of the box) contains about 25% of the data. A narrow box means concentrated data; a wide box means widely spread data.
The marks of $11$ students in an exam were: $5$, $7$, $3$, $8$, $6$, $9$, $4$, $7$, $5$, $6$, and $10$. a) Order the marks and calculate the median. b) Calculate the…
The marks of $11$ students in an exam were: $5$, $7$, $3$, $8$, $6$, $9$, $4$, $7$, $5$, $6$, and $10$.
a) Order the marks and calculate the median.
b) Calculate the first and third quartiles.
c) Between which values is approximately the central $50\%$ of the marks concentrated?
Below is a box plot representing the marks obtained by the students of a class in a resit exam: Observe the graph and identify the following measures of position: a)…
Below is a box plot representing the marks obtained by the students of a class in a resit exam:
Observe the graph and identify the following measures of position:
- a) Minimum value and maximum value.
- b) First quartile ($Q_1$), median ($Me$), and third quartile ($Q_3$).
- c) What percentage of students obtained a mark higher than $8$?
In an esports competition, two teams, "Team Alpha" and "Team Beta", obtained the following response times (in milliseconds) in a reflexes test. The data is presented in…
In an esports competition, two teams, "Team Alpha" and "Team Beta", obtained the following response times (in milliseconds) in a reflexes test. The data is presented in the following box plots:
Based on the graphs:
- a) Which team has a lower median response time?
- b) Which of the two teams is more consistent in their reflexes? Justify your answer using the interquartile range.
- c) If winning the competition depends on never exceeding $200$ ms, which team has better prospects?
Missing data: the total sum
The mean $\bar{x} = \dfrac{\sum x_i}{N}$ can be solved for the sum: $\sum x_i = \bar{x}\cdot N$. With this, if a value is missing, we find the total sum needed and subtract what we already have.
Aisha has taken 4 Mathematics exams this term and her marks were: $6.5$; $8.2$; $7.4$ and $9.1$. a) What is her current mean mark? b) If there is still one final exam…
Aisha has taken 4 Mathematics exams this term and her marks were: $6.5$; $8.2$; $7.4$ and $9.1$.
- a) What is her current mean mark?
- b) If there is still one final exam left, what mark must Aisha get so that her final mean is exactly $8.0$?
A group of 10 friends has a mean age of exactly $14$ years. When the older brother of one of them joins the group, the mean increases to $15$ years. a) Calculate the age…
A group of 10 friends has a mean age of exactly $14$ years. When the older brother of one of them joins the group, the mean increases to $15$ years.
- a) Calculate the age of the older brother.
- b) If a girl aged $10$ then joins, what will be the new mean of the group of 12 people?
- c) Is it possible that, after the girl joins, the median of the group remains $14$? Give an example of the ages of the 10 original friends that satisfies this condition.
A well-known streamer is analysing the views on their last 5 videos. The mean number of views for the first 4 videos is $12\,500$ people. If they want the total mean of…
A well-known streamer is analysing the views on their last 5 videos. The mean number of views for the first 4 videos is $12\,500$ people. If they want the total mean of the 5 videos to rise to $15\,000$ views to attract a new sponsor, how many views must they get, as a minimum, on their fifth video? Explain the process, reasoning whether it is possible for the median number of views to be greater than the mean in this case.
Back to the beginning: the two phones have the same mean (15 h), but the range and the mean deviation show that model A is much more reliable than model B.