Data sampling and representation [24 marks]

1. SPM.1.SL.TZ0.3

At the end of a school day, the Headmaster conducted a survey asking students in how
many classes they had used the internet.

The data is shown in the following table.

(a) State whether the data is discrete or continuous.

[1]

Markscheme

discrete A1 [1 mark]

The mean number of classes in which a student used the internet is 2.

(b) Find the value of k .

[4]

Markscheme

24+60+ 3 k +40+15+ 6
=2 M1A1
88+k
Note: Award M1 for substitution into the formula for the mean, award A1 for a
correct equation. attempt to solve their equation (M1)
k = 31 A1
[4 marks]

(c) It was not possible to ask every person in the school, so the Headmaster arranged
the student names in alphabetical order and then asked every 10th person on the list.

Identify the sampling technique used in the survey.

[1]

Markscheme

systematic A1 [1 mark]
2. EXN.1.SL.TZ0.1

A school consists of 740 students divided into 5 grade levels. The numbers of students in each
grade are shown in the table below.

The Principal of the school wishes to select a sample of 25 students. She wishes to ensure that,
as closely as possible, the proportion of the students from each grade in the sample is the same
as the proportions in the school.

(a) Calculate the number of grade 12 students who should be in the sample.

[3]

Markscheme

* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics senior

examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the new MAA
course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared to formal exam
papers.
181
×25=6.11486 … M1(A1) 6 (students) A1 [3 marks]
740

(b) The Principal selects the students for the sample by asking those who took part in a
previous survey if they would like to take part in another. She takes the first of those who
reply positively, up to the maximum needed for the sample.

State which two of the sampling methods listed below best describe the method used.

Stratified Quota Convenience Systematic Simple random

[2]

Markscheme

Quota and convenience A1A1 Note: Award A1A0 for one correct and one
incorrect answer. [2 marks]

3. EXM.2.SL.TZ0.5

A pharmaceutical company has developed a new drug to decrease cholesterol. The final stage
of testing the new drug is to compare it to their current drug. They have 150 volunteers, all
recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, from which they want to select a sample of size 18.
They require as close as possible 20% of the sample to be below the age of 30, 30% to be
between the ages of 30 and 50 and 50% to be over the age of 50.

(a) State the name for this type of sampling technique.

[1]

Markscheme

stratified sampling A1 [1 mark]

(b) Calculate the number of volunteers in the sample under the age of 30.

[3]

Markscheme

0.2 ×18=3.6 M1A1

so 4 volunteers need to be chosen A1 [3 marks]

Half of the 18 volunteers are given the current drug and half are given the new drug. After six
months each volunteer has their cholesterol level measured and the decrease during the six
months is shown in the table.

Calculate the mean decrease in cholesterol for

(c.i) The new drug.

[1]

Markscheme

34.8 mg/dL A1 [1 mark]

(c.ii) The current drug.

[1]

Markscheme

24.7 mg/dL A1 [1 mark]

The company uses a t-test, at the 1% significance level, to determine if the new drug is more
effective at decreasing cholesterol.

(d) State an assumption that the company is making, in order to use a t-test.

[1]

Markscheme

EITHER The decreases in cholesterol are distributed normally A1 OR The

variance of the two groups of volunteers is equal. A1 [1 mark]

(e) State the hypotheses for this t-test.

[1]

Markscheme

H 0 : N=C and H 1 : N >C A1

where N and C represent the decreases of the new and current drug [1 mark]

(f) Find the p-value for this t-test.

[3]

Markscheme

df = 16, t = 2.77 (M1) p-value = 0.00683 A2 [3 marks]

(g) State the conclusion of this test, in context, giving a reason.

[2]

Markscheme

Since 0.00683 < 0.01 R1 Reject H0. There is evidence, at the 1% level, that
the new drug is more effective. A1 [2 marks]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2023