A study is done to compare the fuel efficiency of cars. The first group of cars generally get about 37 miles per gallon. The second group of cars generally get about 26 miles per gallon. Based on the mean values of each​ group, what inference can be​ made? What else might a person conclude from the mean​ values?

Question

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Part 1
Which of the following is a correct inference based on the mean​ values?
A.The cars in group 1 generally are more fuel efficient.
The cars in group 1 generally are more fuel efficient.
B.The cars in group 1 and group 2 are equally fuel efficient.
The cars in group 1 and group 2 are equally fuel efficient.
C.The cars in group 2 generally are more fuel efficient.

Answer 1

Based on the mean values provided for the fuel efficiency of the two groups of cars, the correct inference is:

A. The cars in group 1 generally are more fuel efficient.

Explanation:

• Group 1 cars have a mean fuel efficiency of 37 miles per gallon, while Group 2 cars have a mean fuel efficiency of 26 miles per gallon. Since 37 is greater than 26, it can be concluded that the cars in group 1 are more fuel efficient.

Additional Considerations:

Beyond this inference, a person might also conclude the following from the mean values:

• There may be factors other than just the group categorization that influence fuel efficiency, such as vehicle type, engine size, or weight.
• The statistical mean does not account for variability or distribution of fuel efficiency within each group. For example, some cars in group 2 may be more efficient than others in group 1; considering the range and variance could provide more insights.
• If one is considering purchasing a car, looking at other aspects like reliability, repair costs, and overall performance might be important as well, even if the fuel efficiency is quantified by the means presented.