6.2 Distribution of data

Distribution of data

Symmetric and skewed data

The shape of a data set is important to know.

Shape of a data set

This describes how the data is distributed relative to the mean and median.

• Symmetrical data sets are balanced on either side of the median.

  

• Skewed data is spread out on one side more than on the other. It can be skewed right or skewed left.

  

Relationship of the mean, median, and mode

The relationship of the mean, median, and mode to each other can provide some information about the relative shape of the data distribution. If the mean, median, and mode are approximately equal to each other, the distribution can be assumed to be approximately symmetrical. With both the mean and median known, the following can be concluded:

• (mean - median) $\approx 0$ then the data is symmetrical
• (mean - median) $>0$ then the data is positively skewed (skewed to the right). This means that the median is close to the start of the data set.
• (mean - median) $<0$ then the data is negatively skewed (skewed to the left). This means that the median is close to the end of the data set.

Distribution of data

1. Three sets of 12 pupils each had test score recorded. The test was out of 50. Use the given data to answer the following questions.

   Set 1	Set 2	Set 3
   25	32	43
   47	34	47
   15	35	16
   17	32	43
   16	25	38
   26	16	44
   24	38	42
   27	47	50
   22	43	50
   24	29	44
   12	18	43
   31	25	42

   1. For each of the sets calculate the mean and the five number summary.
   2. For each of the classes find the difference between the mean and the median. Make box and whisker plots on the same set of axes.
   3. State which of the three are skewed (either right or left).
   4. Is set A skewed or symmetrical?
   5. Is set C symmetrical? Why or why not?
2. Two data sets have the same range and interquartile range, but one is skewed right and the other is skewed left. Sketch the box and whisker plots and then invent data (6 points in each set) that meets the requirements.

Scatter plots

A scatter-plot is a graph that shows the relationship between two variables. We say this is bivariate data and we plot the data from two different sets using ordered pairs. For example, we could have mass on the horizontal axis (first variable) and height on the second axis (second variable), or we could have current on the horizontal axis and voltage on the vertical axis.

Ohm's Law is an important relationship in physics. Ohm's law describes the relationship between current and voltage in a conductor, like a piece of wire. When we measure the voltage (dependent variable) that results from a certain current (independent variable) in a wire, we get the data points as shown in [link] .

When we plot this data as points, we get the scatter plot shown in [link] .

If we are to come up with a function that best describes the data, we would have to say that a straight line best describes this data.

Ohm's law

Ohm's Law describes the relationship between current and voltage in a conductor. The gradient of the graph of voltage vs. current is known as the resistance of the conductor.

Research project : scatter plot

The function that best describes a set of data can take any form. We will restrict ourselves to the forms already studied, that is, linear, quadratic or exponential. Plot the following sets of data as scatter plots and deduce the type of function that best describes the data. The type of function can either be quadratic or exponential.

1. x	y	x	y	x	y	x	y
   -5	9,8	0	14,2	-2,5	11,9	2,5	49,3
   -4,5	4,4	0,5	22,5	-2	6,9	3	68,9
   -4	7,6	1	21,5	-1,5	8,2	3,5	88,4
   -3,5	7,9	1,5	27,5	-1	7,8	4	117,2
   -3	7,5	2	41,9	-0,5	14,4	4,5	151,4

2. x	y	x	y	x	y	x	y
   -5	75	0	5	-2,5	27,5	2,5	7,5
   -4,5	63,5	0,5	3,5	-2	21	3	11
   -4	53	1	3	-1,5	15,5	3,5	15,5
   -3,5	43,5	1,5	3,5	-1	11	4	21
   -3	35	2	5	-0,5	7,5	4,5	27,5

3. Height (cm)	147	150	152	155	157	160	163	165
   	168	170	173	175	178	180	183
   Weight (kg)	52	53	54	56	57	59	60	61
   	63	64	66	68	70	72	74

outlier

A point on a scatter plot which is widely separated from the other points or a result differing greatly from others in the same sample is called an outlier.

The following simulation allows you to plot scatter plots and fit a curve to the plot. Ignore the error bars (blue lines) on the points.

Scatter plots

1. A class's results for a test were recorded along with the amount of time spent studying for it. The results are given below.

   Score (percent)	Time spent studying (minutes)
   67	100
   55	85
   70	150
   90	180
   45	70
   75	160
   50	80
   60	90
   84	110
   30	60
   66	96
   96	200

   1. Draw a diagram labelling horizontal and vertical axes.
   2. State with reasons, the cause or independent variable and the effect or dependent variable.
   3. Plot the data pairs
   4. What do you observe about the plot?
   5. Is there any pattern emerging?
2. The rankings of eight tennis players is given along with the time they spend practising.

   Practice time (min)	Ranking
   154	5
   390	1
   130	6
   70	8
   240	3
   280	2
   175	4
   103	7

   1. Construct a scatter plot and explain how you chose the dependent (cause) and independent (effect) variables.
   2. What pattern or trend do you observe?
3. Eight childrens sweet consumption and sleep habits were recorded. The data is given in the following table.

   Number of sweets (per week)	Average sleeping time (per day)
   15	4
   12	4,5
   5	8
   3	8,5
   18	3
   23	2
   11	5
   4	8

   1. What is the dependent (cause) variable?
   2. What is the independent (effect) variable?
   3. Construct a scatter plot of the data.
   4. What trend do you observe?