Stats: Simple Weighted Means Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the concept of weighted means in the context of an elementary statistics problem involving the average grams of fat per ounce of various meats and fish consumed over a period. Participants are exploring how to identify the data set and the corresponding weights in such problems.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on how to determine which data set represents the values (X) and which represents the weights (W) in the context of calculating a weighted mean.
  • Another participant provides a formula for calculating the weighted mean but does not address the initial question about identifying the data sets.
  • A third participant states that in this specific case, "fat" is the function and "meat/fish" serves as the weight, suggesting a relationship between the two but not elaborating on the reasoning behind this classification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to identify the data sets and weights, as the initial question remains unresolved despite attempts to clarify the roles of the variables involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the definitions of "data set" and "weight" in the context of weighted means, and participants do not provide a comprehensive explanation of the underlying principles that govern these classifications.

shawnz1102
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Hey guys, this is for an elementary statistics course. When given a problem, I am having trouble determining which is the data set (X) and which is the weight (W).

For example:

Using the weighted mean, find the average number of grams of fat per ounce of meat or fish that a person would consume over a 5-day period if he ate these:

Meat/Fish
3 oz. fried shrimp
3 oz. veal cutlet
2 oz. roast beef
2.5 oz fried chicken drumbstick
4 oz tuna

Fat (g/oz)
3.33
3.00
2.50
4.40
1.75

Would Meat/Fish be the weight, or would fat (g/oz) be the weight, and why?
 
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[Σ(meat/fish)xfat]/Σ(meat/fish) is the answer.
[10+9+5+11+7]/[3+3+2+2.5+4]
 
mathman said:
[Σ(meat/fish)xfat]/Σ(meat/fish) is the answer.
[10+9+5+11+7]/[3+3+2+2.5+4]

Yep, but I want to know for future reference how to determine which set of data should be the mean, and which set of data should be the weight.
 
I am not sure how to answer your question. In your case "fat" is the function and "meat/fish" is the weight. The mean is the answer.