3. Describing Data Numerically

Blood Alcohol Concentration Go to http://www.pearsonhighered.com/sullivanstats to obtain the data 3_1_35. The data represent the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), in percent, of a random sample of drivers involved in fatal car accidents. A BAC of 0 indicates that no alcohol was present. Draw a histogram of the data, describe the shape, and determine the mean and median BAC of drivers in fatal accidents. Which measure of central tendency better describes the typical BAC of drivers in fatal accidents? Explain.

Constructing Data Sets In Exercises 5– 8, construct the described data set. The entries in the data set cannot all be the same.

Mean and median are the same and the data is bimodal.

Using and Interpreting Concepts

Finding and Discussing the Mean, Median, and Mode In Exercises 17–34, find the mean, the median, and the mode of the data, if possible. If any measure cannot be found or does not represent the center of the data, explain why.

Weights (in pounds) of Packages on a Delivery Truck

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation classifies various larcenies. The data below represent the type of larcenies based on a random sample of 15 larcenies. What is the mode type of larceny? 

Exam Scores The following data represent the homework scores for the material on Polynomial and Rational Functions in Sullivan’s College Algebra course.

(c) Determine the mean and median score.

Using and Interpreting Concepts

Finding and Discussing the Mean, Median, and Mode In Exercises 17–34, find the mean, the median, and the mode of the data, if possible. If any measure cannot be found or does not represent the center of the data, explain why.

College Credits The number of credits being taken by a sample of 14 full-time college students for a semester

12 14 16 15 13 14 15

18 16 16 12 16 15 17

Planets The planets of the solar system have the numbers of moons listed below in order from the sun. (Pluto is not included because it was uninvited from the solar system party in 2006.) Include appropriate units whenever relevant.

0 0 1 2 17 28 21 8

c. Find the mode.

d. Find the range.

Find the mode of the data in the table below. Is the data unimodal, bimodal, or multimodal?

Tail lengths (in feet) for a sample of American alligators are listed.

6.5 3.4 4.2 7.1 5.4 6.8 7.5 3.9 4.6

a. Find the mean, median, and mode of the tail lengths. Which best describes a typical American alligator tail length? Explain your reasoning.

True or False: A data set will always have exactly one mode.

You are negotiating a contract for the Players Association of the NBA. Which measure of central tendency will you use to support your claim that the average player’s salary needs to be increased? Why? As the chief negotiator for the owners, which measure would you use to refute the claim made by the Players Association?

Using and Interpreting Concepts

Finding and Discussing the Mean, Median, and Mode In Exercises 17–34, find the mean, the median, and the mode of the data, if possible. If any measure cannot be found or does not represent the center of the data, explain why.

Video Durations The lengths (in minutes) of seven educational videos from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (Source: PBS)

83 67 90 55 56 119 52

In Exercises 37– 40, without performing any calculations, determine which measure of central tendency best represents the graphed data. Explain your reasoning.

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