the image shows a line graph starting from 0 to 10

on the line graph zero has four dots
number one on the line graph shows five dots
number 2 on the line graph shows three dots
number 3 on the line graph shows four dots
number 4 on the line graph shows two dots
number 5 on the line graph shows 0 dots
number 6 on the line graph shows 1 dots
number 7 on the line graph shows 2 dots
numbers 8 and 9 on the line graph shows 0 dots
number 10 on the line graph shows 1 dots

You are trying to find the average number of siblings that your classmates have. In 1 sentences, explain whether the distribution of the data you gathered is symmetrical or skewed and if the mean or median would be the most appropriate center. Also calculate and state the mean and median in your response. Finally, state the best measure of center for the number of siblings.

use a small sentence to explain

1 answer

The distribution of the data is skewed to the right due to the higher number of dots at lower numbers, making the median a more appropriate measure of center than the mean.

To calculate the mean:
Total number of siblings = \( (0 \times 4) + (1 \times 5) + (2 \times 3) + (3 \times 4) + (4 \times 2) + (5 \times 0) + (6 \times 1) + (7 \times 2) + (8 \times 0) + (9 \times 0) + (10 \times 1) = 0 + 5 + 6 + 12 + 8 + 0 + 6 + 14 + 0 + 0 + 10 = 61 \)

Total number of classmates = \( 4 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 22 \)

Mean = \( \frac{61}{22} \approx 2.77 \)

To find the median, we list the number of siblings based on the dots: 0 (4), 1 (5), 2 (3), 3 (4), 4 (2), 6 (1), 7 (2), 10 (1). The 11th and 12th values in the ordered list (when counted) are 2 and 3, so:

Median = \( \frac{2 + 3}{2} = 2.5 \)

In summary, the mean is approximately 2.77, the median is 2.5, and the best measure of center for the number of siblings is the median.