Statistics · The Normal Distribution
Normal Distribution—Pinkie Length
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Normal Distribution (Pinkie Length)
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will compare empirical data and a theoretical distribution to determine if data from the experiment follow a continuous distribution.
Collect the Data Measure the length of your pinkie finger, in centimeters.Randomly survey 30 adults for their pinkie finger lengths. Round the lengths to the nearest 0.5 cm.
Construct a histogram. Make five to six intervals. Sketch the graph using a ruler and pencil. Scale the axes.
View original figure (external; image not reproduced in this text edition)
Original figure description: Blank graph with frequency on the vertical axis and length of finger on the horizontal axis.
Calculate the following:
x
¯
= _______s = _______
Draw a smooth curve through the top of the bars of the histogram. Write one to two complete sentences to describe the general shape of the curve. Keep it simple. Does the graph go straight across, does it have a V-shape, does it have a hump in the middle or at either end, and so on?
Analyze the Distribution
Using your sample mean, sample standard deviation, and histogram, what was the approximate theoretical distribution of the data you collected?
X ~ _____ (_____, _____)How does the histogram help you arrive at the approximate distribution?
Describe the Data
Using the data you collected complete the following statements. HintOrder the data.
IQR = _______The 15th percentile is _______.
The 85th percentile is _______.
Median is _______.
What is the theoretical probability that a randomly chosen pinkie length is more than 6.5 cm?
Explain the meaning of the 85th percentile of these data.
Theoretical Distribution
Using the theoretical distribution, complete the following statements. Use a normal approximation based on the sample mean and standard deviation.
IQR = _______The 15th percentile is _______.
The 85th percentile is _______.
Median is _______.
What is the theoretical probability that a randomly chosen pinkie length is more than 6.5 cm?
Explain the meaning of the 85th percentile of these data.
Discussion Questions Do the data you collected give a close approximation to the theoretical distribution? In complete sentences and comparing the results in the sections titled Describe the Data and Theoretical Distribution , explain why or why not.
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