Chapter 13 Data Description

Tutorial 2

Stem Leaf

Key: 3 | 2 means 32 people

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4 The following frequency distribution shows the Mathematics (T) marks obtained by 108 students in a
STPM Trial Examination semester 3.

(a) Calculate the mean and standard deviation for the grouped data.
(b) Draw a cumulative frequency curve and use it to estimate the median and semi-interquartile range.
(c) Comment on the shape of distribution of the data and give a reason.
(d) Explain why the median is better than mean as a measure of central tendeney of the marks for the
data.

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5 The waiting time for 104 customers to deposit their money in a bank on a particular day is shown in the
table below.

(a) Calculate the estimates of mean, mode and standard deviation.

(b) Hence, find the Pearson’s coefficient of skewness and comment on the shape of the distribution.
(c) Draw a cumulative frequency curve and use it to estimate the median and interquartile range.
(d) State with reason whether mean or median is a better measure of central tendency of the waiting time.

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 Chapter 13 Data Description
Tutorial 2: Solutions

2 (a) Mode is 56.

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

3 (a) 60
(b) Q1=46 , Q2=56 , Q3=6 4
(c)

(d)

(e)

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4 (a)

(b)

(c) The distribution is positively skewed because mean > median.

(d) Median is better than mean as a measure of central tendency of the data because the distribution of the marks is
skewed.

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