Question about hint given by the problem related to statistics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding class boundaries in a statistics problem, specifically regarding age groups and how they are defined. The original poster questions the boundaries for the 16-25 age group and the implications of rounding in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster explores different methods for determining class boundaries and midpoints, questioning the rationale behind the provided hint about rounding ages. Other participants engage in clarifying what the age limit of the category entails and the implications of age definitions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning and clarifying the definitions and implications of age boundaries. There is an exploration of different interpretations regarding the age categorization, particularly focusing on the mathematical accuracy of labeling individuals within the age group.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the rounding conventions used in the problem, which may affect how class boundaries are perceived and calculated. The discussion reflects a need for clarity on the definitions of age limits in statistical contexts.

songoku
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Homework Statement
Please see the picture below
Relevant Equations
None
1619419455262.png


I want to ask about the "problem-solving" box on the right.

I don't understand why the class boundaries for the 16 - 25 group are 16 and 26. If I try to find it using my usual way, it will be 15.5 and 25.5 and the midpoint will be (15.5 + 25.5) / 2 = 20.5

Or if I use the hint "since age is always rounded down", I will take the boundaries to be 15 (rounded from 15.5) and 25 (rounded down from 25.5) and the midpoint will be (15 + 25) / 2 = 20

Thanks
 
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What age might the oldest person be in the 16-25 category?
 
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PeroK said:
What age might the oldest person be in the 16-25 category?
25 years old
 
songoku said:
25 years old
What does that mean? 25 years exactly? 25 years and a day? Older than that?
 
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PeroK said:
What does that mean? 25 years exactly? 25 years and a day? Older than that?
I think the oldest would be 25 years and 364 days
 
songoku said:
I think the oldest would be 25 years and 364 days
If you were thinking mathematically would you say that person is much nearer to 26 than 25? And that using the common convention of calling them 25 is mathematically inaccurate?

Isn't that precsiely what the text in the pink box is telling you?
 
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PeroK said:
If you were thinking mathematically would you say that person is much nearer to 26 than 25? And that using the common convention of calling them 25 is mathematically inaccurate?

Isn't that precsiely what the text in the pink box is telling you?
Ah, I misunderstood the meaning.

Thank you very much PeroK
 

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