Question

Nielsen tracks the amount of time that people spend consuming media content across different platforms (digital, audio, television) in the United States. Nielsen has found that traditional television viewing habits vary based on the age of the consumer as an increasing number of people consume media through streaming devices (Nielsen website). The following data represent the weekly traditional TV viewing hours in for a sample of people aged and people aged .

Viewers aged 18–34 24.2 21.0 17.8 19.6 23.4 19.1 14.6 27.1 19.2 18.3
22.9 23.4 17.3 20.5
Viewers aged 35–49 24.9 34.9 35.8 31.9 35.4 29.9 30.9 36.7 36.2 33.8
29.5 30.8

Required:
a. Compute the mean and median weekly hours of traditional TV viewed by those aged 18–34.
b. Compute the mean and median weekly hours of traditional TV viewed by those aged 35–49.
c. Compare the mean and median viewing hours for each age group. Which group watches more traditional TV per week?

Answer 1

Explanation:

a) Mean = sum of variables/sample size

For Viewers aged 18-34

Data given

24.2 21.0 17.8 19.6 23.4 19.1 14.6 27.1 19.2 18.3

22.9 23.4 17.3 20.5

Sum of variables = 34+24.2+21.0+17.8+19.6+23.4+19.1+14.6+27.1+19.2+18.3 +22.9+23.4+17.3+20.5

= 288.4

Sample size = 14

Mean = 288.4/14

Mean = 20.6

Median is the value at the middle of the data after rearranging either ascending or descending order.

On re arranging

14.6, 17.3, 17.8, 18.3, 19.1, 19.2, )19.6, 20.5, (21.0, 22.9, 23.4, 23.4, 24.2, 27.1

Based on the arrangement it can be seen that the value at the middle is 20.5 and 19.6 so we will take the average of the values.

Median = 19.6+20.5/2

Median = 20.05

hence the median value is 20.05

b) For Viewers aged 35-49

Data given

24.9 34.9 35.8 31.9 35.4 29.9 30.9 36.7 36.2 33.8

29.5 30.8

Sum of variables = 24.9+34.9+35.8+31.9+35.4+29.9+30.9+36.7+36.2+33.8 +29.5+30.8

= 390.7

Sample size = 12

Mean = 390.7/12

Mean = 32.56

Median is the value at the middle of the data after rearranging either ascending or descending order.

On re arranging

24.9, 29.5, 29.9, 30.8, 30.9), 31.9, 33.8, (34.9, 35.4, 35.8, 36.2, 36.7

Based on the arrangement it can be seen that the value at the middle is 31.9 and 33.8. Taking the average vale;

Median = 31.9+33.8/2

median = 32.85

Hence the median of the data is 32.85

c) Based on both means, the mean value of the people between ages 35-49 is grater than that of ages 18-34. This shows that the people under age of 35-49 watches more traditional TV per week and due is due to the greater mean value they possess.

The median value of the people between ages 35-49 is also grater than that of 18-34 by 12.8 (32.85-20.05)