Math 217 – Assignment 1

Due Tuesday, January 11 by 5:00 pm (in Joy’s mailbox or via email)

Reminder of homework guidelines:

Your write-up must be your own (you can talk with each other about the problems and potential solution methods, but you must write up the solutions individually, using your own words). Your grade will depend on both the content/correctness and exposition of your answers—be thorough and careful. Because you need not do by-hand calculations, and because you must include Minitab graphs and output, it’s probably easiest (although not required) to type your solutions in Word. (Note you can resize your graphs once they are copied into Word.) Please remember to reaffirm the LU honor code.

Use of Minitab:

Problems 0.13, 0.14, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 require you to use Minitab. The data files for these problems are in the math_217 share folder (under Homework Files), so you can copy them to your account (be sure to work from the files on your account, not the share folder). Minitab is on the campus network, so you can access it from any computer lab on campus.

Textbook Problems

Chapter 0: 0.7, 0.13, 0.14

Chapter 1: 1.6, 1.7, 1.8

Addition to Problem 1.6

Part d: Interpret the value (not just the sign) of the slope of the regression line in the context of this setting.

Important Things to Think About When Writing About Statistics:

1. Always put your analysis in context. That is, include information on the individuals being measured, the variable being measured, and the units of measurement. After you have written your analysis, ask yourself whether a stranger could read your words and completely understand the topic and the context.

Here is an example progression from poor statistical writing to strong statistical writing:

The median is 75.

The median is 75 beats per minute.

The median resting heart rate is 75 beats per minute.

The median resting heart rate of patients is 75 beats per minute.

The median resting heart rate of recent patients at the Makemewell Clinic is 75 beats per minute.

2. In a similar vein, be specific (rather than general) in your descriptions, linking them to the setting of the problem.

Here is an example progression from general (and non-informative) statistical writing to specific statistical writing:

The data are skewed.

The data are skewed right.

The distribution of resting heart rates is skewed right.

The distribution of resting heart rates of recent patients at the Makemewell Clinic is skewed right.