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Student Name: Course: MBA
Registration Number: LC Code:
Subject Name: Statistics for Management
Subject Code: MB0040

Question: 1
Statistics plays a vital role in almost every facet of human life. Describe the functions of Statistics.
Explain the applications of statistics.

Answer:
According to Seligman, Statistics is a science which deals with the method of collecting,
classifying, presenting, comparing and interpreting the numerical data to throw light on enquiry.

Functions of Statistics
Statistics used to simplify mass data and to make comparisons easier. It is also used to bring out
trends and tendencies in the data, and the hidden relations between variables. All these help in easy
decision making. Functions of the statistics are:

1. Statistics simplifies mass data
The use of statistical concepts helps in simplification of complex data. Using statistical concepts, the
managers can make decisions more easily. The statistical methods help in reducing the complexity of the
data and in the understanding of any huge mass of data.
2. Statistics brings out trends and tendencies in the data
After data is collected, it is easy to analyse the trend and tendencies in the data by using the various
concepts of Statistics.
3. Statistics brings out the hidden relations between variables
Statistical analysis helps in drawing inferences on the data. Statistical analysis brings out the hidden
relations between variables.
4. Decision making power becomes easier
With the proper application of Statistics and statistical software packages on the collected data,
managers can take effective decisions, which can increase the profits in a business.
5. Statistics makes comparison easier
Without using statistical methods and concepts, collection of data and comparison would be difficult.
Statistics helps us to compare data collected from various sources. Grand totals, measures of central
tendency and measures of dispersion, graphs and diagrams and coefficient of correlation all provide ample
scope for comparison. Hence, visual representation of the numerical data helps to compare the data with
less effort and effective decisions can be made.

Application of Statistics
Statistical methods are applied to specific problems in various fields such as Biology, Medicine,
Agriculture, Commerce, Business, Economics, Industry, Insurance, Sociology and Psychology.
Insurance companies decide on the insurance premiums based on the age composition of the
population and the mortality rates. A governments administrative system is fully dependent on production
statistics, income statistics, labour statistics, economic indices of cost, and price. Economic planning of any
nation is entirely based on the statistical facts. Cost of living index numbers are also used to estimate the
value of money. In business activities, analysis of demand, price, production cost, and inventory costs help
in decision making.

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Question: 2(A)
Explain the various measures of Dispersion.

Answer:
Dispersion
A measure of Dispersion may be defined as a statistics signifying the extent of the scattering of
items around a measure of central tendency.
The property of deviations of values from the average is called Dispersion or Variation. The degree
of variation is found by the measures of variation. They are as follows:
1. Range (R)
2. Quartile Deviation (Q.D)
3. Mean Deviation (M.D)
4. Standard Deviation (S.D)
We may want to compare two different distributions whose measurements are in terms of kilograms
and in terms of centimetres. Then, we use the following relative measures that do not have any units
attached to them. The relative measures are as follows:
1. Coefficient of Range
2. Coefficient of Quartile Deviation
3. Coefficient of Mean Deviation
4. Coefficient of Variation

Question: 2(B)
Obtain the values of the median and the two Quartiles.
391 384 591 407 672 522 777 733 2488 1490

Answer:
Median:
First, Arranging in ascending order, we get:
384, 391, 407, 522, 591, 672, 733, 777, 1490, 2488

We have, N=10

Median= Size of(

)th item
Median= (

)th item = 5.5

th
item
We have to take the average of 5
th
and 6
th
item
Median=

= 631.5
The median for the given set of values is 631.5

Two Quartile (Q
1
and Q
3
):

Q
1
= (

)th item = (

) th item = 2.75
th
item
= 2
nd
item + .75(3
rd
item 2
nd
item)
=391 + .75(407 391)
=403

Q
3
= (

)th item = (

) th item = 8.25
th
item
= 8
nd
item + .25(9
rd
item 8
nd
item)
=777 + .25(1490 777)
=955.25

So, Median = 631.5 , Q
1
=403 and Q
3
=955.25


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Question: 3(a)
What is correlation? Distinguish between positive and negative correlation.

Answer:
When two or more variables move in sympathy with the other, then they are said to be correlated. If
both variables move in the same direction, then they are said to be positively correlated. If the variables
move in the opposite direction, then they are said to be negatively correlated. If they move haphazardly,
then there is no correlation between them. Correlation analysis deals with the following:
Measuring the relationship between variables.
Testing the relationship for its significance.
Giving confidence interval for population correlation measure.
According to Croxton and Cowden, When the relationship is of a quantitative nature, the
appropriate statistical tool for discovering and measuring the relationship and expressing it in a brief
formula is known as correlation.

Distinguish between Positive and negative correlations:
Both the variables (X and Y) will vary in the same direction. If variable X increases, variable Y also
will increase; and if variable X decreases, variable Y also will decrease; then the correlation in such cases
is known as positive correlation. If the given variables vary in opposite direction, then they are said to be
negatively correlated. If one variable increases, the other variable will decrease. In other words, the
variables are negatively correlated if there is an inverse relationship between the variables. For example,
price and supply of the commodity. On the other hand, correlation is said to be negative or inverse if the
variables deviate in the opposite direction, i.e., if the increase (decrease) in the values of one variable
results, on the average, in a corresponding decrease (increase) in the values of the other variable. For
example, temperature and sale of woolen garments.

Question: 3(b)
Calculate coefficient of correlation form the following data.
X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Y 9 8 10 12 11 13 14 16 15

Answer:
X Y X
2
Y
2
XY
1 9 1 81 9
2 8 4 64 16
3 10 9 100 30
4 12 16 144 48
5 11 25 121 55
6 13 36 169 78
7 14 49 196 98
8 16 64 256 128
9 15 81 225 135
X=45 Y=108 X
2
=285 Y
2
=1356 XY=597

Applying the formula for r and substituting the respective values from the table we get r as:
r =

[

] [

]


r =

[

] [

]

r = 513/540 = 0.95
Hence, Karl Pearsons correlation coefficient is 0.95

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Question: 4
Index number acts as a barometer for measuring the value of money. What are the characteristics
of an index number? State its utility.

Answer:
An index number is a statistical measure which is designed to express changes or differences in a
variable or a group of related variables. It is usually expressed in percentage them.

Characteristics of Index Numbers
1. Expressed in number: Index numbers represent the relative changes such as increase in production;
reduction in prices etc. in the numbers.
2. Expressed in percentage: Index numbers are expressed in terms of percentages so as to show the
extent or relative change where the value of base is assumbed to be 100 but the sign of percentage(%)
is not used.
3. Relative measure: Index numbers measure changes which are not capable of direct measurement.
4. Specified averages: Index number represents a special case of average, in general known as
weighted average. It is a special type of average, because in a simple average, the data is homogenous
having the same unit of measurement, whereas the average variables have different units of
measurement.
5. Basis of comparison: Index numbers by their very nature are comparative. They compare changes
over time or between places or similar categories.

Utility and Importance of Index Numbers
The primary purpose of index numbers is to measure relative temporal or cross-sectional changes
in a variable or a group of related variables which are not capable of being directly measured. The greatest
purpose of index numbers has been to measure and compare the changes in prices and purchasing power
of money which have received great attention from economists for many years.
Today, index number is not only used for measuring price changes alone. Factors like wages,
employment, production, trade, demand, supply, business condition, industrial activity, financial problems
etc. are also studied thorugh this statistical device. Just as a barometer measure the pressure of economic
behavior. Thus, index numbers are called economic barometers.

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Question: 5
Business forecasting acquires an important place in every field of the economy. Explain the
objectives and theories of Business forecasting.

Answer:
Business Forecasting
Business forecasting refers to the analysis of past and present economic conditions with the object
of drawing inferences about probable future business conditions. The process of making definite estimates
of future course of events is referred to as forecasting and the figure or statements obtained from the
process is known as forecast; future course of events is rarely known.

Objectives of forecasting in business
Forecasting is a part of human nature. Businessmen also need to look to the future. Success in
business depends on correct predictions.
Success or failure would depend upon the ability to successfully forecast the future course of
events. Without some element of continuity between past, present and future, there would be little
possibility of successful prediction. But history is not likely to repeat itself and we would hardly expect
economic conditions next year or over the next 10 years to follow a clear cut prediction. A businessman
cannot afford to base his decisions on guesses. Forecasting helps a businessman in reducing the areas of
uncertainty that surround management decision making with respect to costs, sales, production, profits,
capital investment, pricing, expansion of production, extension of credit, development of markets, increase
of inventories and curtailment of loans.

Theories of Business Forecasting
There are a few theories that are followed while making business forecasts. They are:
1. Sequence or time-lag theory
This is the most important theory of business forecasting. It is based on the assumption that most of
the business data have the lag and lead relationships, that is, changes in business are successive and not
simultaneous. There is time-lag between different movements.
2. Action and reaction theory
This theory is based on the following two assumptions.
Every action has a reaction
Magnitude of the original action influences the reaction
When the price of rice goes above a certain level in a certain period, there is a likelihood that after
some time it will go down below the normal level.
3. Conomic Rhythm Theory
According to this theory, the speed and time of all business cycles are more or less the same and
by using statistical and mathematical methods, a trend is obtained which will represent a long term
tendency of growth or decline. It is done on the basis of the assumption that the trend line denotes the
normal growth or decline of business events.
4. Specific historical analogy
History repeats itself is the main foundation of this theory. If conditions are the same, whatever
happened in the past under a set of circumstances is likely to happen in future also. A time series relating
to the data in question is thoroughly scrutinized such a period is selected in which conditions were similar to
those prevailing at the time of making the forecast. This theory depends largely on past data.
5. Cross-cut analysis theory
This theory proceeds on the analysis of interplay of current economic forces. Forecasting is made
on the basis of analysis and interpretation of present conditions because the past events have no relevance
with present conditions.

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Question: 6
The weekly wages of 1000 workers are normally distributed around a mean of Rs. 70 and a standard
deviation of Rs. 5. Estimate the number of workers whose weekly wages will be:
a. Between 70 and 72
b. Between 69 and 72
c. More than 75
d. Less than 63

Answer:
1000 worker
Mean=70Rs/week
S.D()=5
x=70, =5,
z=(x- x)/
z=

a) To estimate the number of worker whose wage from 70 to 72
i.e

=1000

2
1
2
1
z
z

dz where z=

, z1=

and z2=

= 2/5

= 1000

dz

=1000 X 0.1554

worker have wages from 70 to 72.

b) Between 69 to 72
z1 =

= -0.2
so Area of Normal distribution curve left to z1
A(z1) = 0.0793 and for z2=

= 0.4
A(z2) = 0.1554
Total Area A(z1)+A(z2) represents probability of workers in this wages range.
So estimate of worker s is

= 1000(A(z1)+A(z2))
=1000X(0.0793+0.1554)
= 1000X0.2347
=234.7 or 235 workers
c) More than 75
i.e z=

= 5/5 = 1.0
So A(z) =0.3413
So p(more than 75Rs) = 0.5000-0.3413
= 0.1587
So worker whose wages is more than 75 Rs
= 1000X0.15837
= 158.7 workers
d) No of worker whose wages less then 63
z=

= -1.4
Region of Normal Distribution corresponding
Z = -1.4 is A(z) = 0.4192
So P(less than 63 Rs) =

- P(z=-1.4)
= 0.5-0.4192
= 0.0808

So Number of worker whose less than 63Rs/week is
= 1000X0.0808
=80.8=81(nearest whole number)