Range of one standard deviation from mean

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the range of one standard deviation from the mean based on a dataset representing the number of PCs sold over 25 weeks. Participants are analyzing their calculations of mean, standard deviation, and the percentage of weeks that fall within this range, while comparing their results to model answers.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions their calculation of the percentage of weeks within one standard deviation, noting a discrepancy with the model answer of 72%.
  • Another participant provides the dataset and suggests that the calculated mean of 10.4 and standard deviation of 4.8 lead to a range of 4.52 to 16.28, and questions the consistency of the original poster's working.
  • A participant asserts that their calculations for mean and standard deviation are correct and seeks clarification on whether to use the raw data or grouped data for their calculations.
  • Another participant recalculates the range and finds a different percentage (68%) based on their interpretation of the data, suggesting that the expected percentage for normally distributed data is around 68%.
  • There is a discussion about the potential exclusion of data points in the calculations, with one participant questioning if they accidentally left out a number that would affect their percentage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct calculations and interpretations of the data, indicating that there is no consensus on the correct approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on different interpretations of the dataset and methods for calculating mean and standard deviation, leading to variations in their results. There are unresolved aspects regarding the use of raw versus grouped data and the implications for the percentage calculations.

kelvin macks
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my question is on part ii, my range ( as shown in the photo), is between 4.52 and 16.28, so my working would be (6+10+4+4)/(6+10+4+4+1) X100% ... the answer given is 72% which is different form my answer? which part of my working is wrong ?
 

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Data: # PCs sold in 1 week over 25 weeks:
10,8,7,4,4,8,9,14,17,11,5,4,5,7,10,12,14,10,9,29,7,6,5,10,15

You are asked to find the mean and standard deviation.
you have 1 sd range of 4.52-16.28 which suggests you got a mean of 10.4 and a std dev of 4.8.
Does this agree with the model answers?

Then you are asked to find the percentage of weeks where the number sold per week is within 1sd from the mean.

Your working seems inconsistent with this.
i.e. the way I read it:
If there were 5 weeks where the number sold was 1sd from mean, then the calculation would go 100x5/25=20%
Because there are 25 weeks in total and 5 of them fit inside the range.
 
my answer for standard deviation and mean are correct.. do you mean i should get the ans from the data 10,8,7,4,4,8,9,14,17,11,5,4,5,7,10,12,14,10,9,29,7,6,5,10,15 ? and not from the grouped data (1-5), (6-10) and etc ? my ans now is 18/25 now!
 
OK - so the range is: 5.6 to 15.2

Using data
10,8,7,4,4,8,9,14,17,11,5,4,5,7,10,12,14,10,9,29,7,6,5,10,15Numbers 6-15 inclusive are in the range. Those are:
10,8,7,8,9,14,11,7,10,12,14,10,9,7,6,10,15
17/25 = 68%

Which is fair - you should be inside 1sd of the mean about 68% of the time for normally distributed data.

18/25 is 72%, which agrees with the model answer - did I accidentally exclude one?
 

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