Final answer:
To determine how the samples vary, analyze the box plot which represents the five-number summary (minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, maximum) of the data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of friends wants to know how many students bike to school. There are 526 students at the school. Each friend surveys a random sample of 50 students. To determine how the samples vary, you would need more information or data, such as the box plot mentioned in the question. The box plot is a graphical representation of the five-number summary (minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, maximum) of the data.
From the box plot, you can observe the variation in the samples. For example, the position of the median (middle line in the box) gives you an idea of how the samples compare in terms of central tendency. The height of the box and the length of the whiskers show the spread or dispersion of the samples' data. By analyzing these features of the box plot, you can make conclusions about how the samples vary.