Math  /  Data & Statistics

QuestionOur class recorded the temperature at noon each day for 31 school days in the spring. The lowest temperature (in F{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F} ) was 72 , and the highest was 80 . The table gives the mean, median, range, and interquartile range (IQR) of the data set. \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|} \hline \multicolumn{4}{|c|}{ Summary values } \\ \hline Mean & Median & Range & IQR \\ \hline 76 & 76 & 8 & 2 \\ \hline \end{tabular} (a) Select the best description of center for the data set. (b) Select the best description of spread for the data set. Looking at the range, we see that a "typical" day had a temperature of about 8F8^{\circ} \mathrm{F}. The difference between the largest and smallest temperature (in F{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F} ) is 8 . (This is the range.) Looking at the mean and median, we see that a "typical" day had a temperature of about 76F76^{\circ} \mathrm{F}. Looking at the IQR, we see that a "typical" day had a temperature of about 2F2^{\circ} \mathrm{F}. The difference between the largest and smallest temperature (in F{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F} ) is 31 . (This is the number of days the temperature was recorded.) The difference between the largest and smallest temperature (in F{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F} ) is 76 . (This is the mean.)

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. The temperature data is recorded for 31 school days.
2. The lowest temperature recorded is 72°F and the highest is 80°F.
3. The summary values provided are mean = 76°F, median = 76°F, range = 8°F, and IQR = 2°F.
4. The goal is to identify the best description of center and spread for the data set based on the provided statistics.

STEP 2

1. Analyze the best description of the center of the data set.
2. Analyze the best description of the spread of the data set.

STEP 3

Identify the best description of the center of the data set. Since the mean and the median are both 76°F, which indicates that the data is symmetrically distributed and not skewed, the best description of center is either the mean or the median.

STEP 4

Identify the best description of the spread of the data set. Given that the range is 8°F and the IQR is 2°F, the range provides a broader measure of spread, while the IQR indicates the spread of the middle 50% of the data.

STEP 5

Conclusion for the center of the data set: Since the mean and median are identical and both represent the central tendency of the data effectively, the best description of center is either the mean or the median (both are 76°F).

STEP 6

Conclusion for the spread of the data set: Since the range (8°F) and IQR (2°F) provide different insights into the spread, the best description of spread depends on the context. For a general description, the range of 8°F is more comprehensive.
Solution: (a) The best description of the center for the data set is the mean or the median, both of which are 76°F. (b) The best description of the spread for the data set is the range of 8°F.

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