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4.06 Standard deviation

Worksheet
Standard deviation
1

Find the population standard deviation of the following sets of scores, correct to two decimal places:

a

8, \, 20, \, 16, \, 9, \, 9, \, 15, \, 5, \, 17, \, 19, \, 6

b

- 17, \, 2, \, - 6, \, 9, \, - 17, \, - 9, \, 3, \, 8, \, 5

2

Find the sample standard deviation of the following sets of scores, correct to two decimal places:

a

11, \, 4, \, 9, \, 9, \, 6, \, 13, \, 8, \, 2, \,11, \, 3

b

- 14, \, 5, \, 1, \, - 7, \, 8, \, - 17, \, - 6, \, 8, \, 5, \, 3

3

Find the sample standard deviation for the data given in the dot plot below, correct to two decimal places.

4

Given the data in the stem-and-leaf plot, calculate the following correct to two decimal places:

a

The mean

b

The population standard deviation

Leaf
10\ 2\ 6
26\ 8
30
45\ 5\ 6
56\ 6
60
77
89
92

Key: 1 \vert 2 = 12

5

Consider the following column graph:

a

Find the range of the data set.

b

Find the mean of the data set.

c

Find the sample standard deviation, correct to two decimal places.

6

The table shows the number of goals scored by a football team in each game of the year:

a

In how many games were no goals scored?

b

Determine the median number of goals scored.

c

Calculate the mean number of goals scored each game, to two decimal places.

d

Find the population standard deviation, correct to two decimal places.

\text{Score}\left(x \right)\text{Frequency}\left(f \right)
03
11
25
31
45
55
7

Meteorologists predicted a huge variation in temperatures throughout the month of April. The temperature each day for the first two weeks of April were recorded as follows:16, \, 18, \, 20.5, \, 21, \, 21, \, 21, \, 21.5, \, 22, \, 22, \, 24, \, 24, \, 25, \, 26, \, 27

a

State the range of the temperatures.

b

Calculate the interquartile range of the temperatures.

c

Find the population standard deviation, correct to one decimal place.

d

Is there an outlier?

e

Would the standard deviation or the interquartile range be the best measure of spread to support or counter the prediction of a huge variation in temperatures?

8

The scores of five diving attempts by a professional diver are recorded below:5.6, \, 6.6, \, 6.3, \, 5.9, \, 6.4

a

Calculate the mean score, correct to two decimal places.

b

Calculate the population standard deviation of the scores, correct to two decimal places.

c

On the sixth dive, the diver scores 8.8.

i

Is the new score higher or lower than the old mean?

ii

Will the new score increase or decrease the mean?

iii

Will the new score increase or decrease the standard deviation?

d

If each judge gave the same score for the 6th dive, state the standard deviation of the scores for this dive.

9

Han, a cricketer, has achieved scores of 52, 20, 68, 70 and 150 in his first five innings this season. In his sixth innings, he scores a duck or 0. Describe how this score in the sixth innings affected the following:

a

His season batting average.

b

The standard deviation of his scores.

c

His median score.

d

The range of his scores.

10

A batsman’s mean number of runs is 62 and the standard deviation is 13. In the next match, he makes 50 runs.

Explain how this latest match affects his mean and standard deviation.

11

The trial times (in seconds) of a female athlete for the 100\text{ m} sprint are recorded below:

11.0,\, 10.5,\, 12.2,\, 11.2,\, 11.6,\, 11.7,\, 10.8,\, 12.1,\, 11.0,\, 10.9

a

Calculate the sample standard deviation of her times, correct to two decimal places.

b

On her next attempt, she manages to run 100\text{ m} in 10.1 seconds. Determine if this time would increase or decrease the following statistics:

i

Mean

ii

Standard deviation

12

Seven millionaires with an average net wealth of \$41 million and a standard deviation of \$7 million are having a party. Suddenly Carlos Slim, who has a net wealth estimated to be \$31 billion, walks into the room.

a

Find the new average net wealth in the room. Round your answer to the nearest million.

b

Will the new standard deviation be higher, lower or unchanged from before?

c

Will the new mode be higher, lower or unchanged from before if at least two of the original seven millionaires have the same net wealth?

d

Will the range be higher, lower or unchanged from before?

Compare data sets
13

The mean income of people in Country A is \$19\,069. This is the same as the mean income of people in Country B. The standard deviation of Country A is greater than the standard deviation of Country B. In which country is there likely to be the greatest difference between the incomes of the rich and poor?

14

Two machines A and B are producing chocolate bars with the following mean and standard deviation for the weight of the bars:

a

What does a comparison of the mean of the two machines tell us?

b

What does a comparison of the standard deviation of the two machines tell us?

MachineMean (g)Standard deviation (g)
A521.5
B560.65
15

Two friends compete in triple jump and the distance of 20 jumps were recorded. The mean and standard deviation for the jumps are shown below:

a

What does a comparison of the mean of the two friends tell us?

b

What does a comparison of the standard deviation of the two friends tell us?

JumperMean (m)Standard deviation (m)
\text{William}12.60.8
\text{Kathleen}11.60.4
16

Two friends compete in 100 \text{ m} sprints and the time to complete 50 sprints were recorded. The mean and standard deviation for the sprints are shown below:

a

What does a comparison of the mean of the two friends tell us?

b

What does a comparison of the standard deviation of the two friends tell us?

RunnerMean (s)Standard deviation (s)
\text{Derek}13.11.2
\text{Sarah}14.50.75
17

Two cricketers compare the mean and standard deviation of their runs made per match. They conclude that Tobias is a more consistent batter but Lucy generally scores more runs per match.

What can we say about the comparison of their means and standard deviations?

18

The table shows the heart rate data of a group of people after exercise:

Height of stepStepping rateHeart rate
\text{Short step}\text{Slow}89
\text{Short step}\text{Slow}91
\text{Short step}\text{Medium}106
\text{Short step}\text{Medium}105
\text{Short step}\text{Fast}124
\text{Short step}\text{Fast}128
\text{Tall step}\text{Slow}100
\text{Tall step}\text{Slow}96
\text{Tall step}\text{Medium}125
\text{Tall step}\text{Medium}129
\text{Tall step}\text{Fast}132
\text{Tall step}\text{Fast}127
a

Complete the following table. Round all values to one decimal place.

Height of stepDataSlowMediumFast
\text{Short step}\text{Average heart rate}90.0
\text{Standard deviation of heart rate}1.0
\text{Tall step}\text{Average heart rate}
\text{Standard deviation of heart rate}
b

Which of the combinations of step height and stepping rate generated the higher heart rate?

c

Which combination of step height and stepping rate showed the least variability?

19

The scores obtained by two classes are given below:

  • Red class: \,48,\, 56,\, 49,\, 43,\, 41,\, 44,\, 49,\, 46

  • Blue class: \,64,\, 52,\, 43,\, 69,\, 66,\, 65,\, 58,\, 42

a

Complete the following table. Round all values to two decimal places.

MeanSample standard deviation
Red class
Blue class
b

Which class performed better?

c

Which class produced more consistent results?

20

Consider the following pair of data sets below.

  • Set A: 2,\, 4,\, 5,\, 8,\, 8,\, 9,\, 9,\, 9,\, 10,\, 10,\, 10,\, 11,\, 12,\, 15

  • Set B: 2,\, 2,\, 3,\, 4,\, 5,\, 5,\, 6,\, 7,\, 9,\, 11,\, 13,\, 13,\, 14,\, 15

a

Complete the following table. Round values to one decimal place where necessary.

RangeInterquartile rangeSample standard deviation
Set A
Set B
b

Which data set has more variability?

c

Is range a useful measure to compare variability for these two sets?

21

The life of two brands of batteries are tested using a sample of 10 batteries from each brand. Their battery lives (in hours) are shown below.

  • Brand X: 23.3,\, 19.7,\, 20.7,\, 25.3,\, 22.5,\, 19.1,\, 20.0,\, 20.7,\, 20.7,\, 20.9

  • Brand Y: 23.2,\, 27.5,\, 25.0,\, 24.5,\, 22.7,\, 29.8,\, 22.9,\, 26.0,\, 26.4,\, 22.6

Compare the performance of the two brands of batteries.

22

Two companies record the wait time for calls to their customer hotlines over 10 calls. The recorded values are given below in minutes.

  • Company X: 3.1,\, 2.1,\, 3.1,\, 3.2,\, 3.0,\, 2.6,\, 3.8,\, 2.7,\, 2.5,\, 3.5

  • Company Y: 2.2,\, 3.1,\, 3.0,\, 2.5,\, 3.0,\, 3.2,\, 3.2,\, 2.7,\, 2.5,\, 2.5

Compare the wait times of the two companies.

23

Points scored by two friends over 10 rounds of a game are displayed below.

  • Pauline: 10,\, 31,\, 23,\, 6,\, 5,\, 38,\, 18,\, 19,\, 15,\, 21

  • Dave: 52,\, 51,\, 77,\, 40,\, 61,\, 53,\, 60,\, 81,\, 52,\, 82

Compare the performance of the two players.

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Outcomes

3.3.1.8

calculate and interpret statistical measures of spread, such as the range, interquartile range and standard deviation [complex]

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