Task 1 Find two recent newspaper reports that refer to some type of average. In each case, explain whether the average being referred is a mean, a median, or some other type of average. Task 2 – you can use the same reports as in Task 1. Find two recent examples in a newspaper of frequency distributions that are shown as histograms. Then, for each example: – Draw a smooth curve over each distribution that captures its general features. – Classify the distribution according to its number of peaks, symmetry or skewness, and variation. Task 3 – you can use the same newspaper reports here as in the previous tasks. Find two examples of data distributions in recent newspaper reports; they may be given either as tables or as graphs. For each example: – State the range of the distribution. – Explain its meaning in the context of the news report. Task 4 – you can use one of the tables in the Task 3. For one of the data distributions in Task 3, make a five-number summary and a boxplot for the distribution. You can use Excel to create the boxplot or find one of many online resources that create one. Task 5 – you can use the same newspaper reports as in the previous tasks. Many data sets described in the news have nearly normal distributions, though the article may not say so explicitly. In newspaper reports, find two data sets that you suspect have nearly normal distributions. Explain your reasoning. In the main body of this paper, present the results from the five tasks given above. If you wish, you can subdivide the main body into five sections, one for each task.
