Individual Research Projects Section 14.2

Project 14.3

If you roll a pair of dice 36 times, the expected number of times for rolling each of the numbers is given in the accompanying table. A graph of these data is shown.

  1. Find the mean, the variance, and the standard deviation for this model.141
  2. Roll a pair of dice 36 times. Construct a table and a graph similar to the ones shown above. Find the mean, the variance, and the standard deviation for your experiment.
  3. Compare the results of parts a and b. If this is a class problem, you might wish to pool from the entire class data before making the comparison.

Project 14.4

Prepare a report or exhibit showing how statistics are used in baseball.

Project 14.5

Prepare a report or exhibit showing how statistics are used in educational testing.

Project 14.6

Prepare a report or exhibit showing how statistics are used in psychology.

Project 14.7

Prepare a report or exhibit showing how statistics are used in business. Use a daily report of transactions on the New York Stock Exchange. What inferences can you make from the information reported?

Project 14.8

Investigate the work of Adolph Quetelet, Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, R. A. Fisher, and Florence Nightingale. Prepare a report or an exhibit of their work in statistics.

Project 14.9 Historical Quest

“We need privacy and a consistent wind,” said Wilbur. “Did you write to the Weather Bureau to find a suitable location?”

“Well,” replied Orville, “I received this list of possible locations and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, looks like just what we want. Look at this . . .”

However, Orville and Wilbur spent many days waiting in frustration after they arrived in Kitty Hawk, because the winds weren’t suitable. The Weather Bureau’s information gave the averages, but the Wright brothers didn’t realize that an acceptable average can be produced by unacceptable extremes.

Write a paper explaining how it is possible to have an acceptable average produced by unacceptable extremes.