86.2k views
3 votes
This boxplot shows the distribution of ages for a class of 20 students. Why is there no line in the box to indicate the median age? Variable Choose the correct answer below

A. The median could not be computed for this data.
B . The median value is equal to either the first or third quartile.
C. The median value is equal to the first quartile.
D. The median value is equal to the third quartile.

User Trbck
by
7.3k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The lack of a median line in a box plot typically indicates that the median value is equivalent to the first or third quartile. Without the actual box plot, it is not possible to determine whether it is the first or the third quartile. The likely answer is that the median equals either the first or third quartile (Option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

When constructing a box plot, if there is no line to indicate the median within the box, it is usually because the median value is equal to either the first or the third quartile. Given the options provided, the correct answer is either B, C, or D. Since the question states that the box plot is for a specific class and does not provide any further context or figures, we need to rely on common occurrences in data representation. It is likely that the median falls on the first or third quartile, causing there to be no distinct median line in the box.

In this scenario, a possible data set could be such that half the data values are below or equal to the first quartile, and the other half are above or equal to the third quartile. Therefore, the median (which would split the data set evenly) would lie exactly on the first or third quartile, depending on how the data is distributed. Thus, the correct answer is likely B (The median value is equal to either the first or third quartile), though without the accompanying box plot, one cannot determine with certainty whether it is C or D specifically.

User Jeevan Varughese
by
8.0k points