Comparing Measures of Center & Variation

The double box plot shows the average monthly high temperatures for Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Las Vega temperatures show greater variability than Phoenix.

• Phoenix temperatures show greater variability than Las Vegas.

• Las Vegas temperatures are more consistently centered around the median.

• Phoenix has a greater temperature range than Las Vegas.

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The double dot plot shows the number of city pet registrations for several days.

• The mean number of cat registrations is greater than the mean number of dog registrations.

• The dogs’ data has a mean of 10 registrations.

• The cats’ data has a mean of 15 registrations.

• The mean number of dog registrations is greater than the mean number of cat registrations.

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The double box plot below shows the number of car shows attended by two car clubs each year. Compare the centers and variations of the two populations.

• The Cruisers' IQR is 5 greater than the Car Hops' IQR.

• The Car Hops' IQR is 2 greater than the Cruisers' IQR.

• The data for the Car Hops is more consistent.

• The data for the Cruisers is more consistent.

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The double box plot below shows the results of a school survey about types of lunch purchased.

• The a la carte data have less variation than full lunch.

• The a la carte data are centered around a higher value.

• The data for full lunch has a median of 180.

• The data for a la carte lunches has an interquartile range of 240 students.

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The double box plot shows the number of Calories per serving for various fruits and vegetables.

• The median for the fruit data is 125.

• The median for the vegetable data is 75.

• The fruits have a higher number of calories with a greater variation.

• The vegetables have a higher number of calories with a greater variation.

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The double dot plot shows the gas mileage, in miles per gallon, for several cars and SUVs.

• The cars have a greater gas mileage with a greater variation.

• The cars have a greater gas mileage with a less variation.

• SUVs have less gas mileage with greater variation.

• SUVs are centered around a greater median.

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The double plot shows the daily attendance for two fitness clubs for one month.

• Fun Fit has greater attendance with greater variation.

• Greg's Gym has greater attendance with greater variation.

• Fun Fit has greater attendance with less variation.

• Greg’s Gym has a greater attendance with less variation.

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The double box plot shows the heights in inches for the players on two professional basketball teams.

• While the median heights are about the same, the variation in heights is greater for the NJ Nets than the NY Knicks.

• While the median heights are about the same, the variation in heights is greater for the NY Knicks than the NJ Nets.

• The heights of the NJ Nets are more consistently centered around the median.

• The heights of the NY Knicks are less consistently centered around the median.

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The double dot plot shows the number of minutes two students spent practicing the piano.

• Both data sets have the same variation, but Lily’s data centers around a higher value.

• Both data sets have the same variation, but Alessandra's data centers around a higher value.

• Generally, Lily practiced less minutes than Alessandra.

• Generally, Alessandra practiced more minutes than Lily.

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The double box plot shows the daily number of customers for two ice cream parlors.

• The Corner Creamery’s data centers around 80 customers with an interquartile range of 35 customers.

• Sue’s Ice Cream data centers around 60 customers with an interquartile range of 20 customers.

• Sue's Ice Cream has a greater number of daily customers.

• Sue’s Ice Cream has a greater consistency in its distribution.

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