Statistics Q - 4th edition Guide 4 -Word Translations

[terp_in_umcp]

Hello All,

This question pertains to Statistics Q - 4th edition Guide 4 -Word Translations, pg 109.

Give the set {x,x,y,y,y,y} where x<y, Is the median greater that the arithmetic mean?

I read the explanation and it seems fine. I also tried a few numbers and it all looks fine, until i try x=0 and y=-1, in which case the answer changes.

If x=0 and y=-1, then,
Mean=(0+0+-1-1-1-1)/6=-0.6
Median=-(1-1)/2=-1.

So Mean becomes greater than Median. I noticed this usually happens when 0 is part of a set. If I totally Eliminate the 2 zeroes and say that the set has only 4 elements then the book explanation holds fine. I wanna know if there is a particular rule to follow when there are zeroes in a set?

Thanks,
Divz

[jnelson0612]

Hello All,

This question pertains to Statistics Q - 4th edition Guide 4 -Word Translations, pg 109.

Give the set {x,x,y,y,y,y} where x<y, Is the median greater that the arithmetic mean?

I read the explanation and it seems fine. I also tried a few numbers and it all looks fine, until i try x=0 and y=-1, in which case the answer changes.

If x=0 and y=-1, then,
Mean=(0+0+-1-1-1-1)/6=-0.6
Median=-(1-1)/2=-1.

So Mean becomes greater than Median. I noticed this usually happens when 0 is part of a set. If I totally Eliminate the 2 zeroes and say that the set has only 4 elements then the book explanation holds fine. I wanna know if there is a particular rule to follow when there are zeroes in a set?

Thanks,
Divz

Here's the problem: the question says x<y, thus, we cannot use x=0 and y=-1. I've bolded that part above. :-)

[terp_in_umcp]

Thanks Jamie...That was a complete oversight on my part. I need to be careful with the conditions in the future :)

Thanks again,
Divz

[jnelson0612]

No problem Divz! :-)