(1)

The last four semesters an instructor taught Intermediate Algebra; the following numbers of
people passed the class.
SEM I-17, SEM II –19, SEM III-4, SEM IV -20
Which of the following conclusions can be obtained from purely descriptive measures and
which can be obtained by inferential methods?
Answer:
a) Descriptive- The last four semesters the instructor taught Intermediate Algebra; an
average of 15 people passed the class.

b) Inferential- The next time the instructor teaches Intermediate Algebra, we can expect
approximately 15 people to pass the class.

c) Inferential- This instructor will never pass more than 20 people in an Intermediate
Algebra class.

d) Descriptive-The last four semesters the instructor taught Intermediate Algebra, no

more than 20 people passed the class.

e) Inferential- Only 5 people passed one semester because the instructor was in a bad
mood the entire semester.

f) Inferential-The instructor passed 20 people the last time he taught the class to keep
the administration off of his back for poor results.

g) Inferential- The instructor passes so few people in his Intermediate Algebra classes
because he doesn't like teaching that class.

(2)
During the last week, Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres recorded the following number
of hits.
Sun –2
Mon –1
Tues –4
Wed –3
Thurs –0
Fri –3
Sat -1
Which of the following conclusions can be obtained from purely descriptive methods and
which can be obtained by inferential methods?

Answer:

(a) Inferential- Tony will never have more than 4 hits in a game.
(b) Inferential-Tony had 0 hits on Thursday because he used a bat that belonged to
another player.

(c) Descriptive- During the last week, Tony averaged 2 hits per game.

(d) Inferential-Tony is a better hitter than any other baseball player

(e) Descriptive-Tony had the same total number of hits in the first 3 games as he did in
the last 4 games.