If the mean birth weight is grams, which of the following statements is true?

Question

Responses

A The median birth weight can not be determined from the information givenThe median birth weight can not be determined from the information given

B The mean birth weight is the same as the median birth weightThe mean birth weight is the same as the median birth weight

C The mean birth weight is larger than the median birth weightThe mean birth weight is larger than the median birth weight

D The median birth weight is larger than the mean birth weight

Answer 1

To determine which statement is true regarding the relationship between the mean and median birth weights, we need to consider the characteristics of the distribution of birth weights.

1. If the distribution is symmetric (like a normal distribution), the mean and median are equal (A: false, B: true).
2. If the distribution is skewed right (where a few high values pull the mean higher), the mean will be larger than the median (C: true, D: false).
3. If the distribution is skewed left (where a few low values pull the mean lower), the mean will be smaller than the median (C: false, D: true).

Without additional information about the shape of the distribution of birth weights, we cannot definitively conclude which statement is true. Therefore:

• A is correct that we cannot determine the median from the given information unless we know more about the distribution.

So the best answer to choose here is A: The median birth weight cannot be determined from the information given.