Question

Which statistic (mean, median, or mode) is most appropriate in each of the following situations?

(a) Tables in the dining hall are numbered 1 through 12 for students who eat there. The principal calls out a number for the table that will go through the buffet line first. The other tables follow in order of the table numbers. One student is sure the principal calls certain tables more often.
(i) Mean
(ii) Median
(iii) Mode
(b) The offensive line of a football team is larger than in previous years. The program will list a statistic to show this fact.
(i) Mean
(ii) Median
(iii) Mode
(c) A reporter is doing a story on the falling prices of homes in a large neighborhood. The reporter wants to demonstrate how the prices have fallen for all homes, not just the most expensive houses.
(i) Mean
(ii) Median
(iii) Mode

Answer 1

In situation (a), the mode is the most appropriate statistic. In situation (b), the mean is the most appropriate statistic. In situation (c), the median is the most appropriate statistic.

Step-by-step explanation:

In situation (a), where the principal calls out table numbers in a specific order, the most appropriate statistic to use would be the mode. The mode represents the number that occurs most frequently, so it would identify which tables the principal calls more often.

In situation (b), where the offensive line of a football team is larger, the most appropriate statistic to show this fact would be the mean. The mean is the average of all the values and gives a good representation of the overall size of the offensive line.

In situation (c), where the falling prices of homes need to be demonstrated for all houses in the neighborhood, the most appropriate statistic would be the median. The median is the middle value in a data set and is less affected by extreme values, making it ideal for showing the overall trend of falling prices.