What do the descriptive statistics indicate about the shape of …

Mathematics Questions

The descriptive statistics are shown. Analyzing Misleading Graphs and Reports Compare the measures. Describe what these measures indicate about the shape of the box-and-whisker plot.

Short Answer

The answer explains how to analyze data using statistical measures such as mean, median, and mode, which provide insights into data distribution. It describes how to interpret a box and whisker plot, noting that the plot’s skewness indicates a right-skewed distribution, with a longer right whisker compared to the left.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Measures

Firstly, it is crucial to identify the important statistical measures of the given data. These include:

  • Mean: 39,500
  • Median: 20,000
  • Mode: 23,000
  • Minimum: 15,000
  • Maximum: 255,000

These measures provide insights into the distribution and central tendency of the data, which is essential for interpreting the box and whisker plot.

Step 2: Analyze the Box and Whisker Plot

The box and whisker plot visually represents the statistical measures and their relationships. In this plot:

  • The box spans from the lower quartile to the upper quartile.
  • The median divides the box into two halves, illustrating its central position.
  • The minimum point is at the end of the left whisker, while the maximum marks the end of the right whisker.

This layout helps identify the distribution and any potential skewness in the data, based on the whisker lengths.

Step 3: Determine the Skewness

Finally, assess the skewness of the box and whisker plot. In this analysis:

  • The left whisker is short as the minimum (15,000) is close to the median (20,000).
  • The right whisker is long due to the maximum (255,000) being significantly higher than the median.
  • This discrepancy in whisker lengths indicates that the distribution is skewed to the right.

Recognizing this skewness is key for understanding the overall shape and behavior of the dataset.

Related Concepts

Mean

The average value of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values

Median

The middle value in a data set when the numbers are arranged in ascending order, which divides the dataset into two equal halves

Skewness

A measure of the asymmetry of the distribution of values in a dataset, indicating whether data points are concentrated on one side of the mean.

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