APPLICATION

OF STATISTICAL CONCEPTS IN THE DETERMINATION

OF WEIGHT VARIATION IN COIN SAMPLES


B.R.D. LAO
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DATE PERFORMED: JANUARY 21, 2020
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: REINA TERESA VALDERRAMA


1. Discuss the significance of mean, 2. What is the importance of using
standard deviation, and confidence Grubbs’ test?
limits. This test is used for detecting outliers
• Mean: The statistical mean of the in a univariate data, where it assumes the
data set includes every value in the data follows a normal error curve. Thus,
data, which should also represent the removal of the outlier would ensure a
the ‘true’ value. It can also be used decrease in deviation from ‘true’ value,
as basis for central tendencies, and therefore, increase accuracy and
where the individual deviations precision of data set.
from reference number – the
estimated mean – must necessarily 3. What does the pooled standard
add up to zero, and can be used for deviation tell us about the
calculating accuracy and precision, measurements?
among other functions that is Pooled standard deviation is used to
based on how much an individual obtain an improved estimate of the
data differs from the mean. precision of a method, and calculating the
precision of the two sets of data. It implies
• Standard Deviation: The estimated that if the indeterminate (random) error is
standard deviation of a finite set of assumed to be similar for each set, then the
experimental data appropriately data of the different sets can be pooled,
represents the precision of the and therefore, can create a more reliable
data. It also considered as an estimate of the precision of a method than
estimate of the probable error of a is obtained from a single set.
single measurement, and shows
the variability of values or the 4. Compare the statistical parameters
scatter of the values from the ‘true’ obtained for data set 1 with those
value in a data set. obtained for data set 2.
Statistical parameters of the two data
• Confidence Limits: Statistical sets differ with the highest and the lowest
theory allows the estimate of the experimental value, given that data set 2
range, termed as confidence limit, includes all experimental data, whereas,
within which the true value might data set 1 includes only the first six. Data
fall, within a given probability, set 2, then, includes the extreme outliers of
defined by the experimental mean the entire data values.
and the standard deviation. Thus,
values and be deemed acceptable
or not for use in the data set.

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5. Enumerate and explain the three types the relative frequency of various
of experimental error. Give examples deviations from the mean, versus the
of each type. deviation from the mean, and can be
a. Determinate or Systematic described using two parameters that
Errors: Non-random errors and define the population – the population
occurs when something is mean, and the population standard
intrinsically wrong in the deviation. Furthermore, the normal
measurement, which can be distribution observe the 68-95-99.7 rule
determined and presumably can where 68% of the observations will be
be either avoided or corrected. within the mean and the standard
An example of this would be an deviation, 95% will be within twice the
uncalibrated pipet used in all standard deviation, and the mean, and
volume deliveries, or change in 99.7% within thrice the standard
solution volume and deviation, and the mean.
concentration occurring with
changes in temperature. 7. Why do we use forceps in handling the
b. Indeterminate Errors: Accidental coins?
or random errors that cannot be The use of forceps reduces the
avoided, which represent the introduction of moisture to the coins,
experimental uncertainty that which may cause oxidation of the metal in
occurs in any measurement. For the coins and increase the weight
example, pressure calculations obtained. Thus, in order to avoid this and
may be affected by air acquire more accurate results, forceps are
fluctuations in the laboratory. used in handling the coins.
c. Gross Error: Data recording, or
equipment failure resulting to REFERENCES
inaccurate data values. Such
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reading of the temperature in the Analytical Chemistry, 7th ed.; John Wiley &
thermometer. Sons, Inc: USA, 2014; pp 72, 84, 97, 89, 63-65

6. What is the normal or Gaussian [2] Skoog, D.A.; West, D.M.; Holler, F.J.; Crouch,
distribution, and what are the S.R.; Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 9th
requirements for a data set to have this ed.; Brooks/Cole: USA 2014; pp 96, 99.
type of distribution?
A Gaussian or normal distribution is [3] Moore, D.S.; McCabe, G.P.; Alwan, L.C.;
an error curve that shows the symmetrical Craig, B.A.; Duckworth, W.M.; The Practice of
distribution of data around the mean of an Statistics for Business and Economics, 3rd ed.;
infinite set of data. Gaussian curves plot W.H. Freeman and Company: 2011; p. 46

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