STATISTICS for bio

PROBLEM SET: SEX AND THE MATH SAT

Abstract. Who has more people with mathematical aptitude, men or

women?

Data

This summary is taken from the College Board’s 2012 College-Bound Seniors (Texas) State Profile Report for the mathematics section of the SAT:

mean(µ) stdev (σ) population (n) men 514 112 80,382 women 485 103 92,420

Analysis

The sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. (This is a specific example of odds.)

SR = males

females OR =

SRa SRb

Calculate the follow sex ratios and odds ratios:

(1) Find the sex ratio (men : women) for Texas college-bound seniors.

(2) The UTSA cutoff for mathematics scores is 550. Find the sex ratio for college-bound seniors who qualify for admission to UTSA. Then calculate the odds ratio (UTSA : all seniors).

(3) Students admitted to a more selective university, e.g. Rice, have, as the first quartile, a math SAT score of 720. Find the sex-ratio for college-seniors who meet or exceed this score. Then calculate the odds ratio (Rice Q1 : all seniors).

(4) If they had a cutoff score (which they say they don’t), MIT’s cutoff would be 760. Find the sex ratio for college-bound seniors who qualify for admission to MIT. Then calculate the odds ratio (MIT: all seniors).

(5) Is there a pattern to the sex ratios?

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