Question

Use the table to answer the question.

This table shows the number of runs scored by the baseball team in each game.
Game Runs Scored
1 0
2 7
3 2
4 9
5 1
6 1
7 10
What value, the mean or the median, best describes the shape of the data set that contains the number of runs scored by the baseball team? Choose 1 for mean and 2 for median.

(1 point)

Answer 1

To determine whether the mean or the median best describes the shape of the data set, we can calculate both the mean and the median of the runs scored.

The runs scored in each game are:
- Game 1: 0
- Game 2: 7
- Game 3: 2
- Game 4: 9
- Game 5: 1
- Game 6: 1
- Game 7: 10

**Step 1: Calculate the Mean**
Mean = (Sum of all runs) / (Number of games)

Sum = 0 + 7 + 2 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 10 = 30
Number of games = 7

Mean = 30 / 7 ≈ 4.29

**Step 2: Calculate the Median**
To find the median, we first list the runs in ascending order:
0, 1, 1, 2, 7, 9, 10

Since there are 7 numbers (odd), the median is the middle number:
Median = 2 (the fourth number in the ordered list)

**Compare Mean and Median:**
- Mean ≈ 4.29
- Median = 2

The mean is affected by the higher scores (7, 9, and 10), which pulls it up, while the median (2) is a better representation of the center of the data set when there are outliers.

Given the data set shape and the calculations, we conclude that the **median** best describes the shape of the data set.

Thus, the answer is **2** (for median).