Stumped on Math Problem

[sirjake]

Can someone explain this math problem to me?



The Official CLEP Study Guide says the answer is A. I thought the answer was C, though. I can't figure out why the answer is A. Can someone explain this to me or point me to a web site that explains this? I'm not a math guy, but this one seemed easy to me.

[snazzlefrag]

Can someone explain this math problem to me?



The Official CLEP Study Guide says the answer is A. I thought the answer was C, though. I can't figure out why the answer is A. Can someone explain this to me or point me to a web site that explains this? I'm not a math guy, but this one seemed easy to me.

Hi Sirjake,

I am right in the middle of studying for DANTES Statistics. I am by no means mathematically minded. However, I believe I can answer this one.

Answers B and C can be ruled out instantly. Because they are symmetrical, the mean and median will ALWAYS be equal.

Answer D can be ruled out because it is skewed left. The mean is always pulled in the direction of the skew (left = lower). Therefore, in answer D, the mean will be LESS than the median.

The correct answer is A. This graph is skewed right, and so the mean will be pulled in the direction of the skew (right = higher). In this graph, the mean will be greater than the median.

--
Also, here is a web site I found with a cool little gadget that allows you to experiment with different shapes. Just click a blue block to remove it from the graph, or click the white space to add an extra block.

http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/applets/...index.html

I hope this has helped you SirJake.

Good luck with your exam,
Snazzlefrag

[Sammy]

This site has a lot of free math videos. They are excellent, especially if you need refreshing. You may find helpful info that will answer your questions. The "Against all Odds" series covered everything for the Dantes statistics test also.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series158.html

[sirjake]

I finally understand this! Bwaha! I never did understand it for that test, but hoped I would be able to wing it on the College Math test and get by (and did with a 61). Now I'm studying for the Principles of Statistics DSST and went back to see if I could wrap my brain around this after getting through the first group of questions...

I've learned something! Woohoo!