MGT 305 Mod 3 CYU 1

MGT 305 Module 3 Check Your Understanding

Patricia D. Ruiz

Allied American University

Author Note

This paper was prepared for MGT 305, Mod 3 CYU taught by Tracy Sipma.
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Directions: Answer the following questions in complete. Each response should be at least 3 to 5
sentences long. Please use citations from the textbook when appropriate. Please visit the
Academic Resource Center (ARC) for concise APA guidelines.

1. Describe the concepts of a sample and a population.

A population is the total of all the individuals who have certain characteristics and are of
interest to a researcher. Community college students, racecar drivers, teachers, college-level
athletes, and disabled war veterans can all be considered populations. Because sampling is not a
perfect part of science, there are often differences between the values of a sample and the values
of a population. This is called sampling error, and it is the researcher’s duty to minimize this type
of error.
A sample is a subset of the population. In the above example, only community college
students in three schools in New Hampshire would constitute an appropriate sample, as would
only veterans who incurred a specific type of injury during the Vietnam War

Question 40, What Is the Difference Between a Sample and a Population, and Why Are Samples
Important? (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/41398_40.PDF

2. Give three examples each for continuous data and discrete data.

Discrete data is data that can be counted while continuous data is infinite and can be
measured on a scale. Discrete data would include the weight of frozen vegetables, the weight of a
package of meat, and the number of classes needed for a bachelor’s degree. Continuous data
would include the number of work hours an employee works in a day, the amount of time spent
on homework, and the height of a tree.

3. Why is it important to use both statistical measures and descriptive concepts when
describing a histogram?

The statistical measures describe the distribution mathematically and the descriptive concepts
show us a visual picture of the measurements. By using both you will get a better understanding
of the histogram.

4. What is meant by the following expression: the central tendency of the data?

Averages, medians, and modes are the statistical values that define the center of a
distribution. Since they reveal the place where the data tend to be gathered, these values are
commonly called the measures of central tendency.

Summers, D. C. S. (2010). Quality (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. Pg. 120 paragraph 3
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5. What is meant by the following expression: measures of dispersion?

The range and standard deviation are two measurements that enable the investigator to determine
the spread of the data, that is, where the values fall in relation to each other and to the mean.
Because these two describe where the data are dispersed on either side of a central value, they
are often referred to as measures of dispersion. Used in conjunction with the mean, mode, and
median, these values create a more complete picture of a distribution.

Summers, D. C. S. (2010). Quality (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. Pg. 123 paragraph 3

6. Four readings of the thickness of the paper in the hardcopy version of this
textbook are 0.076, 0.082, 0.073, and 0.077 mm. Determine the mean and the standard
deviation.

0.076 + 0.082 + 0.073 + 0.077 = 0.308/ 4 = 0.077 (Mean)

(0.076 – 0.077)2 + (0.082 – 0.077) 2 + (0.073 – 0.077) 2 + (0.077 – 0.077) 2 = 0.000001 + 0.000025
+ 0.000016 + 0 = 0.000042/ 4 = 0.0000105 Standard Deviation

7. How do the range, mean, standard deviation, median, and mode work together to
describe a distribution?

More analytical methods of describing histograms exist. Though shape was easily seen from
a picture, the location and spread can be more clearly identified mathematically. Location is
described by measures of central tendency: the mean, mode, and median. Spread is defined by
measures of dispersion: the range and standard deviation.

Summers, D. C. S. (2010). Quality (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. Pg. 125 paragraph 4

8. If the average wait time is 12 minutes with a standard deviation of 3 minutes,

determine the percentage of patrons who wait less than 15 minutes for their main course
to be brought to their tables.

Z = (15 – 12)/ 3 = 1 b. Area = .8413 so 84.13% wait less than 15 minutes

9. The thickness of a part is to have an upper specification of 0.925 and a lower

specification of 0.870 mm. The average of the process is currently 0.917 with a standard
deviation of 0.005. Determine the percentage of product above 0.90 mm.

f(x) = f(0.9)
f(0.9) = 1 - f(z)
f(x > 0.9) = f(z)

z=x-μ/σ
z = 0.9 - 0.917 / 0.005
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z = -3.4 (left curve)

1 - f(z) = 0.0033693
f(z) = f(x>0.9) = 0.9966307
f(x>0.9) = 99.66307 %

10. If the mean value of the weight of a particular brand of dog food is 20.6 lb and the
standard deviation is 1.3, assume a normal distribution and calculate the amount of
product produced that falls below the lower specification value of 19.7 lb.

19.7-20.6/1.3 = -.69 = 25% or 25 percent are less than 19.7 pounds