Darin Dutson

Professor Gary Jeppson

Statistics 1040
3 December 2014

During the Skittles project, we bought bags of Skittles and measured their contents. As
we progressively learned in the class, we were able to use those skills to complete this project.
As you can see, we carried out many different procedures that applied directly to what we were
learning in our Statistics 1040 class at the given period. Along with the many tests and equations
I learned during the project, I also learned a different way to view the surveys and information.
Because of this project, I can more fully understand the information that is given so that I
cannot be easily fooled into believing any of data that I find. This project has taught me to
critically think about specific parts of the data, to look at it more closely, and to be more
particular in receiving accurate conclusions.
I have already seen how parts of this project have helped me with other classes and I can
see how it will help me understand more about the real world. If we can learn to understand
tendencies of certain data, we can predict and estimate future outcomes. Also in Biology, for
example, I am able to understand the Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium to a greater extent. They
speak about many aspects used in this project such as sample size and making sure the sample is
random. When certain samples are larger and are strictly random, it creates more of a normal
distribution. Because of these principles I am now able to notice particular details that may be
significant in data for these types of subjects.
Lastly, because of this project, I was able to become a better problem-solver. I felt very
narrow-minded (in the world of mathematics) before this project, but because of it I now know
that there is always more that you can do with simple data. I also learned how to use StatCrunch,
a program that will aid me in completing graphs and figures if needed in the future. I came to
understand that I can learn not only from letters alone, but also there is valuable knowledge in
figures, tables, and graphs.