APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL CONCEPTS IN THE

DETERMINATION OF WEIGHT VARIATION IN SAMPLES

ELAINE NICOLE CAEBA
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES
DATE PERFORMED: AUGUST 27, 2014
INSTRUCTORS NAME: ERICKA ITANG

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1.) What is the significance of
standard deviation?
Standard deviation is a
measurement of how close a set
of values are to its mean. It is
important because it shows the
precision of the gathered data.
Without standard deviation, one
cant compare sets of data
effectively. A small standard
deviation indicates that the
values tend to be very close to
the mean while a large standard
deviation indicates that the
values
are
spread
out.
Moreover, standard deviation is
a tool in measuring the
confidence of statistical data.
When one has a small standard
deviation, he/she may conclude
that his/her set of values is
precise.
2.) What is the significance of
confidence limits?
The confidence limit of a
given set of data shows the
uncertainty surrounding the
estimate of the true value. The
particular
estimate
in
the
confidence
limit
is
the

calculated mean, which we

assumed to be near the true
value. It is important because it
represents
how
good
the
estimate is. The larger the
confidence interval, the larger
possibility that the mean is not
close enough to the true value
to conclude that the data is
accurate.
3.) What is the significance of Qtest or Grubbs test?
In a set of different
measurements of a particular
sample, one or more values,
probably the highest or lowest,
may vary a lot from the majority
of the data set. These values
are said to be the outliers in
which are considered erroneous.
They should be eliminated in
the set and should not be used
in further calculations. These
outliers affect the precision of
the given set of data and it
makes the standard deviation
larger than it should be. Thus,
Q-test or Grubbs test is
important so that we could
obtain more precise results.

4.) Discuss how the statistical

parameters
calculated
from
data set 1 compare to those
obtained from data set 2.
The
statistical
parameters of data set 1 and 2
are close to each other. Their
means differ by 0.0140 where
data set 1 is larger and the
mean uncertainty of data set 2
is larger than that of data set 1.
In
addition,
the
standard
deviation of data set 2 is
smaller by 0.0137 than the
standard deviation of data set
1. There ranges are equal since
they have the same highest and
lowest values. Moreover, the
confidence interval of data set 2
is much smaller than that of
data set 1 so I conclude that
data set 2 has higher accuracy
and precision. In general, there
is really no trend in precision or
accuracy as you increase the
number of coins.
5.) What is the significance of
pooled standard deviation?
For comparing two sets of
data, pooled standard deviation
is used to compare their
statistical difference. This is
important so that we could
determine
the
standard
deviation more accurately. It
allows
the
assessment
of
precision when several data
sets were combined.
6.) Discuss the 3 types of
experimental error. Give
examples of each type.
Systematic Error

Systematic errors may be

caused
by
human,
method, or instrumental
error. These errors are a
result
of
faulty
assumptions
to
the
device that causes a
constant shift in data.
These shift the data from
the true value. Examples
of
these
are
the
limitations
of
a
measuring device, the
device was not calibrated
before measuring, and
holding a sample with
bare
hands
before
measuring.
Random error
Random
errors
are
characterized by small
irregularities
in
measurements which are
always present but can
be minimized. These vary
the data about the true
value. Examples of this
error are random noises
while recording sound,
tolerance of glassware
and
estimating
scale
divisions
in
length
measurements.
Gross Error
Gross
errors
are
undetected mistakes that
cause a measurement to
be an outlier. Examples of
these are over-titration
and
unstable
temperature
while
getting
a
reaction
constant.

7.) Discuss the Gaussian/normal

distribution and the
requirements for a data set to
have a normal distribution.
1 X
s

1
P=
e2
s 2

For a data set to have a

normal distribution, the normal
curve must be symmetrical
about the mean, the mean is at
the middle and divides the area
into halves, the total area under
the curve must be equal to one,
only random errors are allowed,
data set is large and it is
completely determined by its
mean and standard deviation.

The Gaussian distribution

is a common probability density
function to assume for random
errors. It is expressed as a
probability, which is a function
of a given set of measurements
and their standard deviation. It
shows the probability than a
certain measurement differs
from the mean as a result of
random error. Furthermore, this
distribution may only be known
from measurement data in the
limit of an infinite number of
measurements.

8.) Discuss the rationale behind the

use of forceps/crucible tongs in
handling the coins.
Forceps are used in
handling the coins because if
we use our bare hands in
holding the coins, it would
cause moisture on the surface
of the coins that would add up
to its weight. It is done to avoid
or
minimize
errors
in
measurements.

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:
Grubbs Test

X q
s
G exp=
Data Set 1
Highest Value: 6.0430g 0.0002g

+5.4582
( 6.0430+5.4088+5.3407+5.2942+5.3734
)
6

6.0430
Gexp=

(6.04305.37506)2 +(5.40885.37506)2+(5.34075.37506)2 +( 5.29425.37506)2+(5.37345.37506

5


0.06279401245
Gexp=

6.04305.37506

Gexp=1.9992
Lowest Value: 5.2942g 0.0002g

5.4582
( 6.0430+5.4088+5.3407+5.2942+5.3734+
)
6

5.2942
Gexp=

(6.04305.37506)2 +(5.40885.37506)2+(5.34075.37506)2 +( 5.29425.37506)2+(5.37345.37506

5

0.06279401245
Gexp=

5.29425.37506

Gexp=0.69029
Mean
n

Xi

= i=1
n

( x1 +x 2 ++x n )
n

( 5.4088 0.0002 )+ (5.3407 0.0002 ) + ( 5.2942 0.0002 ) + ( 5.3734 0.0002 )+(5.4582 0.0002)
5

=5.37506 5(0.0002)2

=5.3751 g 0.0004 g
Standard Deviation

s=

( X i )2
i=1

n1

s=

(5.40885.37506)2 +(5.34075.37506)2 +(5.29425.37506)2 +(5.37345.37506)2 +(5.45825.37506)2

4

s=0.06279401245 g 0.0628 g
Relative Standard Deviation

RSD=

RSD=

Range

s
1000 ppt

R= X highest X lowest
R=( 5.4582 0.0002 )(5.2942 0.0002)

0.06279401245
1000 ppt
5.37506

R=0.1640 2(0.0002)2

RSD=11.68247656 ppt 11.7 ppt

R=0.1640 g 0.0003 g
Relative Range

RR=

RR=

RR=30.5128732 ppt 30.51

R
1000 ppt

0.1640 0.0003
1000 ppt
5.3751 0.0004

0.0002828427125 2 0.0004472135955
+
0.1640
5.37506

)(

R R=30.5128732 ppt 0.05 ppt 30.5 ppt 0.1 ppt

Confidence limit

CL=

CL=5.3751

ts
n

(2.78 ) (0.06279401245)
5

CL=5.3751 0.07806889431

CL=5.3751 0.0781
Error Propagation
For addition and subtraction (used in mean and range)

R r =( A a )+( B b)

R r =( A + B ) a2 +b 2
Mean:

( 5.4088 0.0002 )+ (5.3407 0.0002 ) + ( 5.2942 0.0002 ) + ( 5.3734 0.0002 )+(5.4582 0.0002)
5

5.4088+5.3407+5.2942+5.3734 +5.4582
0.00022 +0.00022 +0.00022 +0.00022+ 0.00022
5

=5.37506 5(0.0002)2
=5.3751 0.0004
For division (used in relative range)

R r =

Aa
B b

R r =

A
R
B

a 2 b
+
A
B

)( )

*see relative range for sample calculation

REFERENCES

http://www.intmath.com/counting-probability/14-normal-probabilitydistribution.php
G. L. Squires, Practical Physics, Fourth Edition, Cambridge University
Press, 2001.
http://www.isixsigma.com/dictionary/pooled-standard-deviation/
http://www.sediment.uni-goettingen.de/staff/dunkl/software/pepgrubbs.pdf
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda35h1.htm
http://ion.chem.usu.edu/~sbialkow/Classes/3600/Overheads/Stat
%20Narrative/statistical.html
http://www.chem.uoa.gr/applets/AppletQtest/Text_Qtest2.htm
http://chemlab.truman.edu/dataanalysis/statistics_files/statisticsfunda
mentals.htm
http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/methods/statecounty/ci.html
http://www.statsdirect.com/help/default.htm#basics/confidence_interva
l.htm
http://math.tutorvista.com/statistics/standard-deviation.html
https://explorable.com/measurement-of-uncertainty-standard-deviation