Forging new generations of engineers

Introduction to Basic Statistics

Lesson Concepts Addressed

Statistical analysis of measurements can help to verify the quality of a design or process. Engineers use graphics to communicate patterns in recorded data.

Related Performance Objectives

It is expected that students will Generate a data set of linear measurement. Calculate the mean, mode, median, and range of a data set. Create a histogram of recorded measurements showing class interval and frequency.

Mean
The mean is the sum of the values of a set of data divided by the number of values in that data set.

x= n
(pronounced X-bar)

Sx

Mean

x= n
x = individual data value
n = # of data values in the data set

Sx

S = summation of a set of values

Mean
Data Set: 3 7 12 17 21 21 23 27 32 36 44 Sum of the values = 243 Number of values = 11 Mean =

x = n

Sx

243 = = 22.09 11

Mode
The most frequently occurring value in a set of data is the mode.
Data Set: 27 17 12 7 21 44 23 3 36 32 21

Symbol

Mode
The most frequently occurring value in a set of data is the mode.
Data Set: 3 7 12 17 21 21 23 27 32 36 44
Mode = 21

Mode
The most frequently occurring value in a set of data is the mode.
Note: If two numbers of equal frequency stand out, then the data set is bimodal. If more than two numbers of equal frequency stand out, then the data set is multi-modal.

Median
The median is the value that occurs in the middle of a set of data that has been arranged in chronological order.
~ Symbol x pronounced X-tilde

Median
The median is the value that occurs in the middle of a set of data that has been arranged in chronological order.
Data Set: 27 17 12 7 21 44 23 3 36 32 21 Median = 21

Median
Note: A data set that contains an odd # of values always has a Median. For an even # of values, the two middle values are averaged with the result being the Median.

Data Set: 3 7 12 17 21 21 23 27 32 36 44 Median = 21

Range
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest values that occur in a set of data.
Data Set: 3 7 12 17 21 21 23 27 32 36 44 Range = 44-3 = 41

Symbol

Histogram
A histogram is a common data distribution graph that is used to show the frequency with which specific values, or values within ranges, occur in a set of data. An engineer might use a histogram to show the most common, or average, dimension that exists among a group of identical manufactured parts.

0 3 -1 0

3 2 -1 1

-1 1 2 -1

-3 0 1 -2

1
-2

2
-4

1
0

0
0

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

Histogram
Specific values, called data elements, are plotted along the X-axis of the graph.

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

Data Elements

Histogram
Large sets of data are often divided into limited number of groups. These groups are called class intervals.

-6 to -16

-5 to 5

6 to 16

Class Intervals

Histogram
The number of data elements is shown by the frequency, which occurs along the Yaxis of the graph.
Frequency
7 5 3 1

-6 to -16

-5 to 5

6 to 16

Normal Distribution
Is the data normal?
Translationdoes the greatest frequency of the data values occur about the mean value?

Normal Distribution
Mean Value

Frequency
-6 -5

-4

-3

-2

-1

Data Elements

Normal Distribution
Is the process normal?
Further Translationdoes the data form a bell shape curve when plotted on a histogram?

Normal Distribution
Frequency
-6 -5

-4

-3

-2

-1

Data Elements