Introduction to Statistics: Quantitative Business Analysis Statistics Quiz

A random telephone survey of  adults (aged  and older) was conducted by research corporation on behalf of an online tax preparation and e-filing service. The survey results showed that  of those surveyed planned to file their taxes electronically.

a. Develop a descriptive statistic that can be used to estimate the percentage of all taxpayers who file electronically.

  (to nearest whole number)

b. The survey reported that the most frequently used method for preparing the tax return is to hire an accountant or professional tax preparer. If  of the people surveyed had their tax return prepared this way, how many people used an accountant or professional tax preparer?

 (to nearest whole number)

c. Other methods that the person filing the return often used include manual preparation, use of an online tax service, and use of a software tax program. Would the data for the method for preparing the tax return be considered categorical or quantitative?

The Tennessean, an online newspaper located in Nashville, Tennessee, conducts a daily poll to obtain reader opinions on a variety of current issues. In a recent poll,  readers responded to the following question: "If a constitutional amendment to ban a state income tax is placed on the ballot in Tennessee, would you want it to pass?" Possible responses were Yes, No, or Not Sure.

a. What was the sample size for this poll?

b. Are the data categorical or quantitative?

c. Would it make more sense to use averages or percentages as a summary of the data for this question?

d. Of the respondents in the United States,  said Yes, they would want it to pass. How many individuals provided this response? (Round your answer to the integer.)

Figure 1.7 provides a bar chart showing the annual revenue for Google from 2007 to 2014.

FIGURE 1.7 GOOGLE REVENUE 

a.  What is the variable of interest?

b.  Are the data categorical or quantitative?

c.  Are the data time series or cross-sectional?

d.  Comment on the trend in Google revenue over time.

The input in the box below will not be graded, but may be reviewed and considered by your instructor.

Excel File:  data01-05.xls  

a.  What is the average price for the cordless telephones (to 2 decimals)? $

b.  What is the average talk time for the cordless telephones (to 3 decimals)?  hours

c.  What percentage of the cordless telephones have a voice quality of excellent?  %

d.  What percentage of the cordless telephones have a handset on the base?  %

A sample of midterm grades for five students showed the following results: , , , , . Which of the following statements are correct, and which should be challenged as being too generalized?

a. The average midterm grade for the sample of five students is .

b. The average midterm grade for all students who took the exam is .

c. An estimate of the average midterm grade for all students who took the exam is .

d. More than half of the students who take this exam will score between  and .

e. If five other students are included in the sample, their grades will be between  and .

Every year, the U.S. Coast Guard collects data and compiles statistics on reported recreational boating accidents. These statistics are derived from accident reports that are filed by the owners/operators of recreational vessels involved in accidents. In 2009, 4730 recreational boating accident reports were filed. Figure 1.8 provides a bar chart summarizing the number of accident reports that were filed each month (U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division website, August 2010).

a.  Are the data categorical or quantitative?

b.  Are the data time series or cross-sectional?

c.  In what month were the most accident reports filed? Approximately how many?   

d.  There were 61 accident reports filed in January and 76 accident reports filed in December. What percentage of the total number of accident reports for the year was filed in these two months (to 1 decimal)?  %

Does this seem reasonable?

e.  The overall shape of the bar graph is  .

The following data show the number of rental cars in service for three rental car companies: Hertz, Avis, and Dollar, over four-year period.

a. Select a time series graph for the Year 1 to Year 4 showing the number of rental cars in service for each company. Show the time series for all three companies on the same graph.

Note: blue line is for company Hertz, green line is for company Dollar and red line is for company Avis

b. Comment on who appears to be the market share leader and how the market shares are changing over time.

In Year 1  the market share leader.

In Year 2  the market share leader.

In Year 3  the market share leader.

In Year 4  the market share leader.

In Year 3 and Year 4  have approximately the same market share. The market share for Dollar appears to be  .

c. Select a bar chart showing rental cars in service for Year 4.

Is this chart based on cross-sectional or time series data?



The Kroger Company is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States, with over 2000 grocery stores across the country. Kroger uses an online customer opinion questionnaire to obtain performance data about its products and services and learn about what motivates its customers (Kroger website, April 2012). In the survey, Kroger customers were asked if they would be willing to pay more for products that had each of the following four characteristics. The four questions were: Would you pay more for

products that have a brand name?

products that are environmentally friendly?

products that are organic?

products that have been recommended by others?

For each question, the customers had the option of responding yes if they would pay more or no if they would not pay more.

a.  Is the data collected by Kroger in this example categorical or quantitative?

b.  What measurement scale is used?