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MATH 1050Y
A Non-Calculus Based Introduction to Probability & Statistical Methods
Section A FW 2012-13 Instructor: Jaclyn Semple
Tuesday 12-1pm SC 203 Tuesday 1-2pm SC 203 Tuesday 4-5pm GCS 115 Remember: Weekly quizzes (iClicker) Weekly assignments due
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We will consider the following four measures of central tendency: mean median mode midrange.
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The Mean
The (arithmetic) mean of a set of values is the number obtained by adding the values and dividing the total by the number of values. For a sample of n observations, the mean is referred to as the sample mean, x . If all N values of the population are available, this is referred to as the population mean, .
The Median
The median of a data set is the middle value when the values are arranged in order of increasing magnitude. For a sample of n observations, the median is % denoted by x (x-tilde). To find the median, first arrange the values in order. If the number of values is odd, the median is the number that is located in the exact middle of the list. If the number of values is even, the median is found by computing the mean of the two middle numbers.
MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
x=
x
n
population mean mu
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The Mode
The mode of a data set is the value that occurs most frequently. When two values occur with the same greatest frequency, each one is a mode and the data set is said to be bimodal. When more than two values occur with the same greatest frequency, each one is a mode and the data set is said to be multimodal. When no value is repeated, we say that there is no mode. The mode is often denoted by M. It is the only measure of central tendency that can be use with nominal data.
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MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
% x = 0.73
Even Number of Values (Ordered)
0.42 0.48 0.73 1.10 1.10 5.40
% x
MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
0.73 + 1.10 2
= 0.915
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The Midrange
The midrange is the value midway between the highest and lowest values in the data set. The midrange is found by adding the highest value to the lowest value and then dividing the sum by 2. That is,
midrange =
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Rounding Rule
A simple rule for rounding calculations of measures of central tendency is this: Carry one more decimal place than is present in the original data set. Note: Round only the final answer, never in the middle of a calculation.
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x=
MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
( f x) f
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Weighted Mean
In some situations, the values vary in their degree of importance. In this situation, we may wish to compute a weighted mean
f 2 3 6 12 13 9 5 f=50
xf
takes frequency/importance into account Eg. Mean crop yield from 3 farms of different size A weighted mean is a mean computed with different values assigned different weights, w. We use the following formula to compute a weighted mean:
x=
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MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
(w x) w
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(w x) = x= w
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NOTE: The mean and median cannot always be used to identify the shape of a distribution of data values.
MATH 1050Y-A (FW 2012-13)
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4
A. Symmetric B. Left-skewed
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A. B. C. D. E.
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Coming up
Reminders: Assignment #2 due Tuesday in seminar Quiz #2 Tuesday in seminar For next class: Do practice questions from 2-4 Read Section 2-5 bring iClicker
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