CHAPTER THREE

DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS: NUMERICAL MEASURES

PROBLEMS

1. The hourly wages of a sample of eight individuals is given below.

Hourly Wage
Individual (dollars)

A 27
B 25
C 20
D 10
E 12
F 14
G 17
H 19

For the above sample, determine the following measures:

a. The mean.
b. The standard deviation.
c. The 25th percentile.

Answers:
a. 18
b. 6
c. 13

2. In 2002, the average age of students at UTC was 22 with a standard deviation of
3.96. In 2003, the average age was 24 with a standard deviation of 4.08. In
which year do the ages show a more dispersed distribution? Show your complete
work and support your answer.

Answer:
C.V. for 2002 = 18%, C.V. for 2003 = 17%
Therefore 2002 shows a more dispersed distribution.

1
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2 Chapter Three
3. Consider the data in the following frequency distribution. Assume the data
represent a population.

Class Frequency
2- 6 2
7 - 11 3
12 – 16 4
17 - 21 1

For the above data, compute the following.

a. The mean
b. The variance
c. The standard deviation

Answers:
a. 11
b. 21
c. 4.58

4. A private research organization studying families in various countries reported

the following data for the amount of time 4-year old children spent alone with
their fathers each day.

Time with
Country Dad (minutes)
Belgium 30
Canada 44
China 54
Finland 50
Germany 36
Nigeria 42
Sweden 46
United States 42

For the above sample, determine the following measures:

a. The mean
b. The standard deviation
c. The mode
d. The 75th percentile

Answers:
a. 43
b. 7.56
c. 42
d. 48
5. In 2002, the average donation to the Help Way was $225 with a standard

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 3
deviation of $45. In 2003, the average donation was $400 with a standard
deviation of $60. In which year did the donations show a more dispersed
distribution?

Answer:
The coefficient of variation in 2002was 20% (more dispersed).
The coefficient of variation in 2003 was 15%.

6. The following frequency distribution shows the ACT scores of a sample of

students:

Score Frequency
14 - 18 2
19 - 23 5
24 - 28 12
29 - 33 1
For the above data, compute the following.
a. The mean
b. The standard deviation
Answers:
a. 24
b. 3.77

7. The following data show the yearly salaries of football coaches at some state
supported universities.
Salary
University (in $1,000)
A 53
B 44
C 68
D 47
E 62
F 59
G 53
H 94
For the above sample, determine the following measures.
a. The mean yearly salary
b. The standard deviation
c. The mode
d. The median
e. The 70th percentile
Answers:
a. 60

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4 Chapter Three
b. 15.8
c. 53
d. 56
e. 62

8. The ages of a sample of 8 faculty members selected from the School of Business
Administration are shown below.

Faculty Age
1 42
2 30
3 73
4 50
5 51
6 37
7 42
8 59

a. Compute the average age.

b. Determine the mode.
c. Compute the median age.
d. Compute the standard deviation.

Answers:
a. 48
b. 42
c. 46
d. 13.5

9. The grade point average of the students at UTC is 2.80 with a standard deviation
of 0.84. The grade point average of students at UTK is 2.4 with a standard
deviation of 0.84. Which university shows a more dispersed grade distribution?

Answer:
UTK's coefficient of variation = 35%. UTC's coefficient of variation = 30%.
Therefore, UTK has a more dispersed grade distribution.

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 5
10. The following is a frequency distribution for the ages of a sample of employees at
a local company.

Age Frequency
30 - 39 2
40 - 49 3
50 - 59 7
60 - 69 5
70 - 79 1

a. Determine the average age for the sample.

b. Compute the variance.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.

Answers:
a. 54.5
b. 117.65
c. 10.85
d. 19.91%

11. A local university administers a comprehensive examination to the recipients of a

B.S. degree in Business Administration. A sample of examinations are selected at
random and scored. The results are shown below.

Grade
93
65
80
97
85
87
97
60

For the above data, determine

a. The mean
b. The median
c. The mode
d. The standard deviation
e. The coefficient of variation

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6 Chapter Three
Answers:
a. 83
b. 86
c. 97
d. 14.01
e. 16.88%

12. The number of hours worked per week for a sample of ten students is shown
below.

Student Hours
1 20
2 0
3 18
4 16
5 22
6 40
7 8
8 6
9 30
10 40

a. Determine the median and explain its meaning.

b. Compute the 70th percentile and explain its meaning.
c. What is the mode of the above data? What does it signify?

Answers:
a. 19; approximately 50% of the students work at least 19 hours
b. 26; at least 70% of the students work less than or equal to 26 hours per week
c. 40; the most frequent data element

13. The frequency distribution below shows the monthly expenditure on gasoline for
a sample of 14 individuals.

Expenditure Frequency
55 - 59 2
60 - 64 3
65 - 69 4
70 - 74 3
75 - 79 2

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the standard deviation.

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 7
Answers:
a. 67
b. 6.5

14. The average wage of Tennessee cashiers is $14 per hour with a standard deviation
of $4.20. In Georgia, the average wage of cashiers is $16 with a standard
deviation of $4.40. In which state do the wages of cashiers appear to be more
dispersed?

Answer:
The coefficient of variation in Tennessee = 30%. The coefficient of variation in
Georgia = 27.5%. Therefore, Tennessee shows a more dispersed distribution.

15. A researcher has obtained the number of hours worked per week during the
summer for a sample of fifteen students.

40 25 35 30 20 40 30 20 40 10 30 20 10 5 20

Using this data set, compute the

a. median
b. mean
c. mode
d. 40th percentile
e. range
f. sample variance
g. standard deviation

Answers:
a. 25
b. 25
c. 20
d. 20
e. 35
f. 128.571
g. 11.339

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8 Chapter Three
16. A sample of twelve families was taken. Each family was asked how many times
per week they dine in restaurants. Their responses are given below.

2 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 1 2

Using this data set, compute the

a. mode
b. median
c. mean
d. range
e. interquartile range
f. variance
g. standard deviation
h. coefficient of variation

Answers:
a. 2
b. 1.5
c. 1.25
d. 2
e. 1.5
f. 0.75
g. 0.866
h. 69.28%

17. The following is a frequency distribution of grades of a sample of statistics

examinations.

Examination Grade Frequency

50 - 59 7
60 - 69 10
70 - 79 22
80 - 89 15
90 - 99 6

Compute the following measures:

a. The mean
b. The variance
c. The standard deviation
d. The coefficient of variation

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 9
Answers:
a. 75
b. 128.08
c. 11.32
d. 15.09%

18. The following show the number of job losses and gains (in thousands) between
2001 and 2002 for a sample of seven cities.

Job Change
City (in thousands)
Memphis -11
Nashville -7
Atlanta -6
Chattanooga -5
Birmingham -5
Huntsville 0
Knoxville 6

a. Compute the mean.

b. Determine the mode.
c. Determine the median.
d. Determine the standard deviation.

Answers:
a. -4000
b. -5000
c. -5000
d. 5,477 (rounded)

19. For the following frequency distribution,

Class Frequency
45 - 47 3
48 - 50 6
51 - 53 8
54 - 56 2
57 - 59 1

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the standard deviation. (Assume the data represent a population.)

Answers:
a. 50.8
b. 3.06

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10 Chapter Three
20. Below you are given the ages of a sample of 10 college students who are enrolled
in statistics.

20 18 20 22 18 20 22 17 19 24

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the variance.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.
e. Determine the 25th percentile.
f. Determine the median
g. Determine the 75th percentile.
h. Determine the range.

Answers:
a. 20
b. 4.667
c. 2.16
d. 10.8%
e. 18
f. 20
g. 22
h. 7

21. A sample of 9 mothers was taken. The mothers were asked the age of their oldest
child. You are given their responses below.

3 12 4 7 14 6 2 9 11

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the variance.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.
e. Determine the 25th percentile.
f. Determine the median
g. Determine the 75th percentile.
h. Determine the range.

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 11
Answers:
a. 7.56
b. 17.78
c. 4.22
d. 55.8
e. 4.0
f. 7.0
g. 11
h. 12

22. For the following frequency distribution (assume the data represent a population),

Class Frequency
70 - 79 5
80 - 89 9
90 - 99 11
100 - 109 9
110 - 119 6

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the standard deviation.

Answers:
a. 95
b. 12.44 (rounded)

23. The starting salaries of a sample of college students are given below.

Starting Salary
(In Thousands) Frequency
10 - 14 2
15 - 19 3
20 - 24 5
25 - 29 7
30 - 34 2
35 - 39 1

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the variance.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.

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12 Chapter Three
Answers:
a. 23.7
b. 42.83
c. 6.54
d. 27.59

24. The following frequency distribution shows the time (in minutes) that a sample of
students uses the computer terminals per day.

Time Frequency
20 - 39 2
40 - 59 4
60 - 79 6
80 - 99 4
100 - 119 2

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the variance.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.

Answers:
a. 69.5
b. 564.54
c. 23.76
d. 34.19%

25. A sample of charge accounts at a local drug store revealed the following
frequency distribution of unpaid balances.

Unpaid Balance Frequency

10 - 29 1
30 - 49 6
50 - 69 9
70 - 89 11
90 - 109 13

a. Determine the mean unpaid balance.

b. Determine the variance.
c. Determine the standard deviation.
d. Compute the coefficient of variation.

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 13
Answers:
a. 74
b. 533.08 (rounded)
c. 23.09
d. 31.20%

26. The amount of time that a sample of students spends watching television per day
is given below.

Time
Student (In Minutes)
1 40
2 28
3 71
4 48
5 49
6 35
7 40
8 57

a. Compute the mean.

b. Compute the median.
c. Compute the standard deviation.
d. Compute the 75th percentile.

Answers:
a. 46
b. 44
c. 13.5
d. 53

27. In 2002, the average donation to the Community Kitchen was $900 with a
standard deviation of $180. In 2003, the average donation was $1,600 with a
standard deviation of $240. In which year do the donations show a more
dispersed distribution?

Answer:
The coefficient of variation in 2002 was 20% (more dispersed). The coefficient
of variation in 2003 was 15%.

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14 Chapter Three
28. The following data represent the daily demand (y in thousands of units) and the
unit price (x in dollars) for a product.

Daily Demand (y) Unit Price (x)

47 1
39 3
35 5
44 3
34 6
20 8
15 16
30 6

a. Compute and interpret the sample covariance for the above data.
b. Compute and interpret the sample correlation coefficient.

Answers:
a. -47. Since the covariance is negative, it indicates a negative relationship
between x and y.
b. -0.922. There is a strong negative relationship between x and y.

29. The following observations are given for two variables.

y x
5 2
8 12
18 3
20 6
22 11
30 19
10 18
7 9

a. Compute and interpret the sample covariance for the above data.
b. Compute the standard deviation for x.
c. Compute the standard deviation for y.
d. Compute and interpret the sample correlation coefficient.

Answers:
a. 19.286 (rounded). Since the covariance is positive, it indicates a positive
relationship between x and y.
b. 6.32
c. 8.83
d. 0.345. There is a positive relationship between x and y. The relationship is
not very strong.
30. Compute the weighted mean for the following data.

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 15

xi Weight (wi)
9 10
8 12
5 4
3 5
2 3

Answer:
6.676

31. Compute the weighted mean for the following data.

xi Weight (wi)
19 12
17 30
14 28
13 10
18 10

Answer:
16

32. Paul, a freshman at a local college just completed 15 credit hours. His grade
report is presented below.

Credit
Course Hours Grades
Calculus 5 C
Biology 4 A
English 3 D
Music 2 B
P.E. 1 A

The local university uses a 4 point grading system, i.e., A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D =

1, F = 0. Compute Paul’s semester grade point average.

Answer:
2.6

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16 Chapter Three
33. The following data show the yearly salaries of a random sample of Chattanooga
residents.

Resident Salary
(In $1,000)
A 97
B 48
C 69
D 85
E 92
F 48
G 79
H 74

For the above sample, determine the following measures (Give your answer in
dollars):

a. The mean yearly salary.

b. The standard deviation.
c. The mode.
d. The median.
e. The 70th percentile

Answers:
a. $74,000
b. $18,423.59
c. $48,000
d. $76,500
e. $85,000

34. The following frequency distribution shows the yearly tuitions (in $1,000s) of a
sample of private colleges.

Yearly
Tuition Frequency
12 - 16 5
17 - 21 4
22 - 26 3
27 - 31 2

For the above data, compute the mean yearly tuition. (Give your answer in
dollars.)

Answer:
$19,714.29
35. The following data represent the daily supply (y in thousands of units) and the

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 17
unit price (x in dollars) for a product.

Daily Supply Unit Price (x)

(y)
5 2
7 4
9 8
12 5
10 7
13 8
16 16
16 6

a. Compute and interpret the sample covariance for the above data.
b. Compute the standard deviation for the daily supply.
c. Compute the standard deviation for the unit price.
d. Compute and interpret the sample correlation coefficient.

Answers:
a. 11.43 (rounded). The covariance is positive. Therefore, there is a positive
relationship between x and y.
b. 4
c. 4.175
d. 0.6844. There is a fairly strong positive relationship between x and y.

36. The yearly incomes of the top highest paying professions in the United States are
shown below.

Yearly Income
Profession (in $1,000)
Surgeons 136
Obstetricians 132
Anesthesiologists 130
Internists 126
Pediatricians 116
Psychiatrists 114
Dentists 110
General Practitioners 110
Chief Executives 107
Airline Pilots 99

For the above sample, determine the following measures (Give your answer in
dollars).

a. The mean yearly salary

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18 Chapter Three
c. The standard deviation
d. The median
e. The mode

Answers:
a. $118,000
b. $12,283.68
c. $115,000
d. $110,000

37. The population change between 1990 and 2000 for several small cities are shown
below.

Population Change
City (number of residents)
Chattanooga 3083
Collegedale 1466
East Ridge -461
Lakeside 1113
Ridgeside -11
Signal Mountain 395
Soddy-Daisy 3290
Walden 437

For the above sample, determine the following measures.

a. The mean
c. The standard deviation
d. The median

Answers:
a. 1,164
b. 1,385.51
c. 775

38. The Michael Painting Company has purchased paint from several suppliers. The
purchase price per gallon and the number of gallons purchased are shown below.

Supplier Price Per Gallon ($) Number of Gallons

A 23 700
B 25 200
C 29 100
D 27 200
Compute the weighted average price per gallon.
Answer:

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 Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 19
$24.50

39. In the fall semester of 2002, the average Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT) of the students at UTC was 500 with a standard deviation of 80. In the
fall of 2003, the average GMAT was 560 with a standard deviation of 84. Which
year’s GMAT scores show a more dispersed distribution?
Answer:
The coefficient of variation in 2002 = 16%.
The coefficient of variation in 2003 = 15%.
Therefore, 2002 had a more dispersed distribution.

40. The following frequency distribution shows the starting salaries (in $1,000s) of a
sample of business students:

Starting
Salary Frequency
22 - 26 3
27 - 31 5
32 - 36 8
37 - 41 4
For the above data, compute the mean starting salary: (Give your answer in
dollars.)
Answer:
$32,250

41. Paul, a freshman at a local college just completed 18 credit hours. His grade
report is presented below.
Credit
Course Hours Grades
Chemistry 5 C
Calculus 5 A
English 4 C
Music 3 F
P.E. 1 A
The local university uses a 4 point grading system, i.e., A = 4, B = 3, C = 2,
D = 1, F = 0. Compute Paul’s semester grade point average.

Answer:
2.33

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