F case Stadky A } ee = 2 Laundry Statistics & LEMMA According to Procter & Gamble, 35 ionloadsoflaundryarerunin the United States each year. Every second 1,100 loads are started. Statistics show that one person in the United States generates quarter of aton of dirty clothing each, year. Americans appear to be spending more time doing laun- dry than they did 40 years ago. Today, the average American woman spendsseven toninehoursa week on laundry. However, industry research shows that the result is dirtier laundry than in other developed countries, Various companies market newand improved versions of washers and detergents. Yet, Americans seem to be resistant to manufacturers innovations in this area In the United States, the average washing machine uses about 16 gallons of water. In Europe, the figure is about 4 gallons. ‘The average wash cycle of an American wash is about 35 min- utes compared to 90 minutes in Europe. Americans prefer top loading machines because they do not have to bend over, and the top loading machines are larger. Europeans use the smaller front-loading machines because of smaller living spaces. ‘Managerial and Statistical Questions Virtually all of 3¢ statistics cited here are gleaned from studies 1. Suppose a study of laundry usage is one in 50 US. houscholds that contain washers and dryers. Water measurements are taken fox the number of gallons of water used by each washing machine in completing a cycle. The following data ae the nunsber of gallons used by each washing machine during the washing cyele. Summarize the data so that study findings can be reported. (Seb 5 a eam aaa bo % Bis 7 1 os 1s 6 % 7 HS 8 7 4 os 6 Moe DO i uw 16 3 17 17 18 16 6 6 4 v6 oT & & B16 15 16 15 2. The average wash eyele for an American wash is 35 ‘minutes. Suppose the standard deviation of a wash eyele for an American wash is 5 minutes. Within what range of time do most American wash cyeles fal 3. Isthe amount of laundry done by a houschold each year related in some way to the household income? Suppose cight houscholds of two adults and two children are randomly chosen for a study. Over a year period, a record is kept of the weight of clothing washed by each houschold; and their annual household income is. ascertained, From the following study data, determine whether a relationship exists between a houschold’s income and the amount of laundry done (in weight), ‘Amount of Laundry __(oveight in lbs) ‘Household Income (81,0005) 2 31 60 Cy ne 45 56 n 93 Source: Adapted from Emily Nelson. “In Doing Laundsy, Americans Cling Wil Sect Javea 6 May 2002, pp. AL & ALO