Representation of

Data
WEEK 4C

Representation of Data

Select a suitable way of presenting raw statistical data, and discuss

advantages and/or disadvantages that particular representations may
have;

Construct and interpret stem-and-leaf diagrams, box-and-whisker plots,

histograms and cumulative frequency graphs

Understand and use different measures of central tendency (mean,

median and mode) and variation (range, interquartile range, standard
deviation) e.g. in comparing and contrasting sets of data

Use a cumulative frequency graph to estimate the median value, the

quartiles and the interquartile a range of a set of data

Calculate the mean and standard deviation of a set of data (incl.

grouped data) either from the data itself or from given totals such as
and 2 , or ( ) and 2

Weighted means
A candidate obtained the following results in
her GCSE mathematics examination:

The final mark allocated to a student is

calculated from her mark in each subject.

Paper 1: 72%, Paper 2: 64%, Coursework: 73%

The class teacher worked out an ordinary

mean

The head teacher decided to weight the

subjects in proportion to the number of
lessons per week, as shown in the table.

The regulations state that the two written

papers have equal weighting and count for
80% of the final result, whereas the
coursework counts for 20%. What was the
candidates final mark?
Results are in following ratio:
40%: 40%: 20% = 2: 1: 1

Weighted mean:
2 72 + 2 64 + 1 73
= 69%
2+2+1

Which method gave the higher mark, and

by how much?
Subject

Mark

Lessons/week

Mathematics

64%

English

52%

Science

71%

French

75%

History

82%

Variability of Data:
Key definitions:

Range: highest value-lowest value

Standard deviation: measure of deviation
of readings from the mean

Standard deviation: =

()

From frequency distribution:

=

()

2 =

1
(

( 2 2 + 2 )
2 2

2 +

2
+

2)

Variability of Data:
An intelligence test was taken by 115
candidates and the results are as follows.
Calculate estimates of the mean and
standard deviation.

Time (min)

Frequency

0-1

10

1-2

15

2-3

25

3-5

40

5-10

25

Mean time is 3.8 minutes, and standard

deviation is 2.2 minutes.

Cartons of orange juice are advertised as

containing 1 litre. A random sample of 100
cartons gave the following results for the
volume, :
= 101.4 ,

2 = 102.83

Calculate the mean and standard

deviation of the volume of orange juice in
these 100 cartons.

Mean time is 1.014 litres, and standard

deviation is 0.010 litres.

Combining sets of data:

The number of errors, x, on each of 200
pages of transcript was monitored. The
results when summarised showed that

920
200

Mean= 4.4 =

Calculate the mean and standard

deviation.

Variance = 2.2 =

A further 50 pages were monitored and

found the mean was 4.4 errors and
standard deviation was 2.2 errors

Combine mean =

+
+

= 920,

2 = 5032

Find the mean and standard deviation

of the number of errors per page for
the 250 pages

= 4.6, =

2 = 2

50

Combine var. =
Mean =

+
,
+

= 220
2

2+ 2
+

SD =

2 = 1210

1140
250

= 4.56

4.562 = 4.171

2+ 2
+

Combining sets of data:

Three statistics students, Ali, Les
& Sam, spent the day fishing.
They caught three different
types of fish & recorded the
type and mass (correct to the
nearest 0.01kg) of each fish
caught. At 4pm, they
summarised the results as
follows.

Number of fish by type

All fish caught

Perch

Tench

Roach

Mean mass (kg)

Std. deviation (kg)

Ali

1.07

0.42

Les

0.76

0.27

Sam

1.00

Ali: 12 1.07 = 12.84

Who caught the greatest

total mass of fish?

Let mass of extra fish be kg

Before leaving, Sam caught

one more fish & weighs it. If
this extra fish is included with
the other two fish he caught,
the standard deviation is 1
kg. Find the mass of this extra
fish.

= 3.121

Mass of Sams extra fish is 3.12

2+
3

=1=

12 +12 + 2
3

2+ 2
3

M June 2013 Questions 61

M Nov 2013 Paper 6 Questions 61

M Nov 2012 Paper 6 Questions 61

Follow-up:
Current:
Exercise 1E: Weighted means (pg. 36)
Exercise 1F: Mean and standard deviation (pg. 44)

Exercise 1G: Mean and standard deviation (pg. 50)

Later this week:

Exercise 1J: Cumulative frequency, median and quartiles
(pg. 73)
Exercise 1K: Cumulative frequency, median and quartiles
(pg. 81) (Q1-10)
Exercise 1M: Boxplots (pg. 99)
Miscellaneous exercise 1N (pg. 110) (Optional)