Stat 2000, Section 001, Homework Assignment 4 (Due 2/14/2000 in class)

This homework should be part of your preparation for Quiz 1. Try to work on as many questions as possible before Friday. If you want, you can turn in your homework before Friday and get the solutions from me.

Moreover, if you go to our Stat 2000 Web page at
http://www.math.usu.edu/~symanzik/teaching/2000_stat2000/stat2000.html
you can access additional old exams.

0) Reading: Section 2.1, Article by Monmonier, Homework Solutions
1) The following questions are based on the data for the ``Weider Empire'' from USA Today (May 15, 1998) reprinted below. When you write down your answers, you should indicate which values are assigned to the variables you use (e.g., n=20, x(15) = 20,000) and which formula you use. This will guarantee you at least partial credit in case that your final result is incorrect. (12 Points)
- Determine the mean magazine circulation for the ``Weider'' empire.
- Determine the median magazine circulation for the ``Weider'' empire.
- Assume you are the press speaker of the ``Smith'' magazine group that also has 10 magazines with a mean circulation of 310,000 and a median circulation of 300,000. Which number(s) would you report when comparing your group with the ``Weider'' empire. Explain.
- Calculate the range of the magazine circulation for the ``Weider'' empire.
- Construct a stem-and-leaf display of the magazine circulation.
- Are you happy with the data provided by USA Today? Isn't some important information missing?
- Do you think that the 1.1 million circulation for ``Shape'' is the absolute truth? Think of possible manipulations (hint: ``TV Guide'' published 4 collector's covers of Seinfeld in their May 9-15, 1998, issue - how might this effect the circulation?).
- Assume the ``Weider'' group only possesses these 10 magazines. Calculate the variance using our shortcut formula and make a clear statement whether you are calculating a population or a sample variance. (Hint: It might be useful to know that 1.1 million can be expressed as 1.1E06, 450,000 as 0.45E06, etc.).
2) These questions are based on the scatterplot matrix presented in Mark Monmonier's article `Geographic Brushing: Enhancing Exploratory Analysis of the Scatterplot Matrix'. This scatterplot matrix has been reprinted below. (6 Points)
- Label the (individual) scatterplot that shows the `Cable Penetration' on the vertical (y-)axis and the `Per Capita Income' on the horizontal (x-)axis with the letter `A'.
- What is the range R of the `Per Capita Income' (in $)?
- Which of these statements is correct/incorrect?
  - The state with the highest `Per Capita Income' has a `Metropolitan Population' of less than 50%.
  - The state with the highest `Per Capita Income' has the second highest `Cable Penetration'.
  - The 6 New England states have `Cable Penetrations' that range among the 15 lowest rates of cable penetration in the U.S.
  - California is the state with the highest `Per Capita Income'.
3) Below is a graphic taken from Wainer's `Visual Revelations' book, first published in the Washington Post. First guess under which US President the Dollar lost most of its value. Then redraw the graphic in a better way. It might be reasonable as well to look into a history book or find a source with respect to US Presidents on the Web... After redrawing your graphic answer the question again under which US President the Dollar lost most of its value. Can you explain the main problem with the initial graphic?

(7 Points)