Question to test your Median knowledge

Question

The following are the estimated annual incomes (in dollars) of students who graduated from a university with a major in history. The data are based on graduates from a particular year, and one exceptionally high income is included. Find the mean, median, mode, and the midrange to answer the given question:

16,920; 18,340; 17,750; 19,210; 19,800; 19,450; 18,100; 16,500; 1,950,000

Does the exceptionally high income significantly affect the measures of center? Based on these data, would the university be justified in claiming that the mean salary of history graduates exceeds \$200,000?

Accepted Answer

The mean and midrange are significantly affected by the outlier, while the median remains stable.The university’s claim that the mean salary exceeds $200,000 is misleading.

Answer

The median and mode are more affected by the outlier than the mean, making the mean a more reliable measure.The university’s claim that the mean salary exceeds $200,000 is justified.

Answer

The presence of an outlier decreases all measures of center, proving that the income distribution is skewed.The university’s claim that the mean salary exceeds $200,000 is misleading.

Answer

The mode and midrange are the most reliable measures of center when an outlier is present.The university’s claim that the mean salary exceeds $200,000 is justified.

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