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Two fertilizers are applied to randomly selected potato plants. After several weeks, the potatoes are weighed. The weights in kilograms are as follows. Which fertilizer is generally more effective? Fertilizer A: 27, 20, 16, 18, 22, 19, 23, 21, 17, 19 Fertilizer B: 28, 19, 18, 21, 24, 20, 25, 27, 29, 21 (1 point) Responses Fertilizer A is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes treated with it are higher. Fertilizer A is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes treated with it are higher. Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher. Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher. Fertilizers A and B are both ineffective, because there is no difference in the ranges of the weights of the potatoes. Fertilizers A and B are both ineffective, because there is no difference in the ranges of the weights of the potatoes. Fertilizers A and B are equally effective, because the ranges of the weights of the potatoes are the same.

1 answer

To determine which fertilizer is generally more effective, we need to calculate the mean and median weights of the potatoes for each fertilizer.

Fertilizer A Weights:

  • 27, 20, 16, 18, 22, 19, 23, 21, 17, 19
  • Mean: (27 + 20 + 16 + 18 + 22 + 19 + 23 + 21 + 17 + 19) / 10 = 20.2 kg
  • Median: When the data is sorted (16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27), the middle values (19 and 20) yield a median of (19 + 20) / 2 = 19.5 kg.

Fertilizer B Weights:

  • 28, 19, 18, 21, 24, 20, 25, 27, 29, 21
  • Mean: (28 + 19 + 18 + 21 + 24 + 20 + 25 + 27 + 29 + 21) / 10 = 23.2 kg
  • Median: When the data is sorted (18, 19, 20, 21, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29), the middle values (21 and 21) yield a median of (21 + 21) / 2 = 21 kg.

Comparison:

  • Fertilizer A: Mean = 20.2 kg, Median = 19.5 kg
  • Fertilizer B: Mean = 23.2 kg, Median = 21 kg

Since both the mean and median of the weights of the potatoes treated with Fertilizer B (23.2 kg and 21 kg) are higher than those of Fertilizer A, we can conclude that:

Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher.