The inter-quartile range (IQR) is the difference between the first (Q1) and third quartile (Q3). For the given student weights: 30-34 (frequency 10), 35-39 (11), 40-44 (15), 45-49 (7), and 50-54 (4), the cumulative frequencies are used to locate the quartiles. Find Q1 (25%) and Q3 (75%) positions in the dataset. Q1 corresponds to the 12.75th element, falling in the 35-39 range, while Q3 corresponds to the 38.25th element, falling in the 40-44 range. Calculating the exact values requires interpolation, but Q1 is approximately 37 kg and Q3 is around 43 kg, so IQR = 43 - 37 = 6 kg. This range indicates the spread of the middle 50% of the student weights, highlighting variability and potential skewness in the dataset.

The coefficient of variation (CV) is a standardized measure of dispersion in a dataset, expressed as a percentage of the mean. It is calculated as the standard deviation divided by the mean, then multiplied by 100%. For the student weight data, calculating the CV involves finding the mean and standard deviation of the frequency distribution, then applying the formula. CV allows comparisons of variabilities between datasets with different units or means, indicating relative variability independently from scale. A higher CV suggests more variability relative to the mean, which is crucial in understanding the consistency and reliability of such datasets.

Statistical methods involve applying the normal distribution. For cycles taking over 22 minutes, use Jason's mean (17) and standard deviation (√8 ≈ 2.83) to calculate the z-score: (22-17)/2.83 ≈ 1.77. Lookup this z-score in the normal distribution table indicates the probability of Jason taking fewer than 22 minutes. Subtract this from 1 for probability exceeding 22 minutes. This statistical inference uses z-scores to determine where a given time falls on the distribution, offering a comprehensive view of the likelihood of extended cycling times.

To determine the percentage of data exceeding a specific score in a normally distributed dataset, such as a test score that exceeds 5% of the tests, first calculate the z-score from the given mean and standard deviation. With a mean of 40 and standard deviation of 8, find the z-score that corresponds to the top 5% using the standard normal distribution table, roughly z = 1.645. The score is then computed as mean + z * standard deviation = 40 + 1.645 * 8 = roughly 53.16. Thus, scores above 53.16 exceed 5% of the tests, representing the higher-end outliers in the distribution.

Sample size and variance directly impact the probability distribution of a sample mean. Given an unknown distribution with mean 90, standard deviation 15, and samples of size n=25, the standard error is 15/√25 = 3. The probability of having a sample mean between 85 and 92 involves standardizing and applying the central limit theorem. Convert the range to z-scores: (85-90)/3 ≈ -1.67 and (92-90)/3 ≈ 0.67. Use these z-scores with a standard normal table to find corresponding probabilities. Larger samples reduce standard error, increasing the sample mean's proximity to the true population mean, thereby affecting the probability.

Standard deviation and variance are measures of data spread. Variance is the average of squared deviations from the mean, and the standard deviation is the square root of variance, providing a measure of how data points deviate from the mean. When analyzing Jason's cycling time with a mean of 17 and variance of 8, the standard deviation is √8 ≈ 2.83. These values imply that most cycling times cluster within a standard deviation from the mean (17 ± 2.83 minutes). Knowing both helps determine if data points significantly deviate from the mean, informing about variability and potentially influencing predictions on cycling consistency and outlier identification.

A five-number summary includes the minimum, Q1 (first quartile), median, Q3 (third quartile), and maximum. For Brand 1's seed growth data—20, 5, 20, 20, 20, 6, 20, 20, 20, and 8—the summary helps understand data distribution. The minimum value is 5, Q1 is located between the first 25% of the data when ordered, roughly 9. Q2, or median, is 20, Q3 is around 20 (75th percentile data point), and the maximum is 20. This summary shows a concentration of most data at higher counts, indicating potential positive skewness with few lower outliers, reflecting consistency in the number of plants growing except for some failed instances.

Box and whisker plots graphically depict data distribution and variability. Constructing a plot for student weights involves calculating the five-number summary—minimum, Q1, median, Q3, and maximum. The box represents interquartile range (Q1 to Q3), the line inside is the median, and whiskers extend to minimum and maximum values within 1.5 times the IQR. Outliers beyond this range are marked separately. This visual tool captures data spread, central values, and potential outliers, offering a clear, concise snapshot of weight distribution and comparative analysis potential between different groups or conditions.

The measures of central tendency include the mean, median, and mode. For Brand 1, with data points 20, 5, 20, 20, 20, 6, 20, 20, 20, and 8, the mean (X̄) is calculated as the sum of all elements divided by the number of elements, resulting in 15.9; the median is the middle value when data is ordered, which is 20; and the mode is the most frequently occurring value, also 20. Similarly, for Brand 2 with data points 17, 18, 15, 16, 18, 18, 17, 15, 17, and 18, the mean is 16.9, the median is 17, and the mode is 18. These measures provide insights into the typical number of plants grown per packet for each brand.

In normal distribution, the range of Z indicates how many standard deviations an element is from the mean. To find probabilities, it's common to standardize the variable (Z-scores) and use standard normal distribution tables. For instance, finding P(-1.2 < Z < 1.0) involves calculating areas under the curve for Z-scores -1.2 and 1.0. The probability of Z being between these values is the area between these Z-scores, which can be calculated using cumulative probabilities from the normal distribution table. Understanding these ranges allows us to interpret data distribution and predict outcomes under certain limits.