Practice Problems Key

1. Calculate the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation for the following
sets of data:
a) 9,7, 6, 6, 2 Mean = 6.0; Median = 6.0; Mode = 6.0; sd = 2.28
b) 12, 10, 9, 8, 6 Mean = 9.0; Median = 9.0; Mode = none; sd = 2
c) 82, 82, 82, 82, 82 Mean = 82; Median = 82; Mode = 82; sd = 0
d) 12, 10, 9, 8, 6, 45 Mean = 15; Median = 9.5; Mode = none; sd = 13.5

2. Answer the following questions:

a) Why is the sd in (d) so large compared to the sd for (b)?
The extreme score (45) contributes a lot of extra variability, which affects
the increase in sd.
b) Why is the mean so much higher in (d) than in (b)?
The mean is drawn towards the extreme score (45). This is an example of
a positively skewed distribution.
c) Why is the median relatively unaffected?
The median is not influenced by an extreme score.
d) Which measure of central tendency best represents the set of scores in (d)?
The median.