Statistics

MATH 117 2.2 Mean and median

The graph below shows natural gas consumption (in billion cubic feet) in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. (Data is from Energy Information Administration, 2016). The mean has been located for you below the axis.

1. Indicate on the graph where the median should be located.

2. Which statistic, the mean or the median, would be affected more if you decide to ignore the outlier of 4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas consumption? Why?

3. Suppose you suspect that the outlier of 4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas consumption is an error and you eliminate it from your data. Indicate on the graph your estimate for the position of the new mean.

4. (From section 2.3) Would it be appropriate to use the 95% rule on this data? Why or why not?

mean