Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Important Announcement: Test 2 is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 7 October 2009 and will cover Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 and, maybe, some of Chapter 6.

Today, we discussed several additional rules of probability and practiced them with many examples. Please make sure that you remember each rule and know when to use each rule.

Here is a link to an applet that simulates the Monty Hall problem (a different one than was used in class): http://math.ucsd.edu/~crypto/Monty/monty.html – This applet keeps a record of everyone who has played the game, so that you can see the long-term [frequentist] probability.

Here is a link to an applet that simulates the Monty Hall problem (one that simulates Monty not knowing where the prize is): http://www.math.ucsd.edu/~crypto/Monty/montydoesnotknow.html This applet keeps a record of everyone who has played the game, so that you can see the long-term [frequentist] probability.

The next homework assignment (typically due on Mondays) will be collected on Wednesday, 7 October 2009 so that you can study from the assignment:

Section 5.1: # 9, 11, 15-33 odd, 37, 45, 47
Section 5.2: # 1-41 odd
Section 5.3: # 11, 12, 16*, 17*, 20*, 21*
Section 5.4: # 1–7 odd, 9-19* odd

* We will complete some examples similar to these during the next class.

Monday, 28 September 2009

Project 1 is due on 30 September 2009.

Next Quiz on Wednesday, 30 September 2009 and will cover Section 5.1.

Today we covered Section 5.1 and discussed the three types of probability:

1. frequentist;
2. classicist;
3. subjective.

When we use a ‘fair’ coin or ‘fair’ die, then we can construct a sample space and use the classicist definition of probability. Lastly, we discussed two rules of probability – the ones that are important for probability models.

Next homework assignment consists of at least the following:

Section 5.1: # 9, 11, 15-33, 37, 45, 47
Section 5.2*: # 1-41 odd

*We will discuss Section 5.2 on Wednesday.

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

Announcement: The due date for Project 1 has been changed to Wednesday, 30 September 2009.

Today, the class completed Test 1. I will have the tests graded by Monday and they will be returned at the end of class on Monday.

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Some important announcements:

1. Quiz on Monday covering any topic discussed so far in the course.
2. Test 1 will be on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 and will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4.
3. Project 1 is due on 28 September 2009.

Today, we finished Chapter 3. We described how to determine if a set of data is normally distributed (i.e., bell-shape) using the NRMHST program (see http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83normHist.htm) on the TI83/84. We completed three examples using the 68-95-99.7 Rule (a.k.a., the Empirical Rule) in calculating the percent of data within a normally distributed set of data. Lastly, we calculated a z-score and discussed the interpretation of the z-score.

Here are some TI83/84 calculator instructions for Chapter 4 material we will start using on Monday: 

How to find the 2–variable statistics: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83twoVar.htm
How to calculate the correlation coefficient, r: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83corCoeff.htm
How to find the least squares regression line: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83lsq.htm

The next homework (usually due every Monday) will be collected on test day – so you can study from the assignment. This assignment will include the following:

Section 3.2: # 33abce, 35 – 41 odd;
Section 3.4: # 7^*, 9^*, 15–21^** odd;
Section 3.5: #1, 3, 4, 5–11 odd.

^* The more extereme relative measure is the larger postive (or more negative) z-score
^** The ’fences’ are the values Q₁-1.5(IQR) and Q₃+1.5(IQR)
NOTE: Remember that all graphs must be on graph paper and properly labeled and titled.

Monday, 14 Septemer 2009

Some important announcements:

1. Quiz on Wednesday covering the topics discussed today.
2. Test 1 will be on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 and will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4.

Today, we finished most of Chapter 3. This includes how to construct a boxplot (a.k.a., box-n-whiskers plot). See http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83box.htm for instructions how to graph a boxplot on the TI83/84. Note that when you trace along the boxplot, you will find that the boxplot is defined by the five-number summary. We also discussed a definition for outliers (see p. 161 of the text for the definition) and how the modified boxplot on the TI83/84 will show outliers using this same definition. Lastly, we discussed z-scores (see p. 150 of text for definition) and the interpretation of the z-score.

Here are some TI83/84 calculator instructions for Chapter 3 material we will be using on Wedensday:

How to plot a histogram with a normal curve: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83normHist.htm

Here are some TI83/84 calculator instructions for Chapter 4 material we will start using on Wedensday Monday:

How to find the 2–variable statistics: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83twoVar.htm
How to calculate the correlation coefficient, r: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83corCoeff.htm
How to find the least squares regression line: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83lsq.htm

The next homework (usually due every Monday) will be collected during test day – so you can study from the assignment. This assignment will include at least the following:

Section 3.2^*: # 33 – 41 odd;
Section 3.4: # 7, 9, 15–21 odd;
Section 3.5: #1, 3, 4, 5–11 odd;
Section 4.1: TBD;
Section 4.2: TBD;
Section 4.3: TBD.

^* We will talk about the Empirical Rule on Wednesday.
^** Remember that all graphs must be on graph paper and properly labeled and titled.

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Important announcement: Test 1 will be postponed to a later date.

Today, we covered Section 3.1, part of Section 3.2 and part of Section 3.5. In Section 3.1, we discussed two measures of center (what the measure of center means, how to use TI83/84 to calculate each measure, which measure  is a resistant measure, why it is a resistant measure and which measure to use in a given situation and why). In Section 3.2, we discussed several measures of spread or dispersion (what the measure of spread means, how to use TI83/84 to calculate each measure, which measure(s) are resistant measure(s), why it is a resistant measure and which measure to use in a given situation and why). Lastly, in Section 3.5, we showed the 5-number summary (how to use TI83/84 to calculate the 5-number summary).

How to find measures of center and measures of spread on TI83/84: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83sum.htm.

The next homework assignment is due on Monday, 14 September 2009 and includes the following:

• Section 3.1^{*, **}: # 1 – 39 odd;
• Section 3.2^**: # 3, 7, 11 – 31 odd.

^*You do not need to calculate mode for any question.
^**Make sure that when you find a sample that you show the required work. Also, keep in mind when you are working with a population (use the parameter) vs. sample (use the statistic).

In the next class, we will be finishing most of Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5. We will use the TI83/84 calculators for additional work. In case you want to view the instructions prior to class, here they are:

How to make a boxplot: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83box.htm
How to plot a histogram with a normal curve: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83normHist.htm
How to find the area under a normal curve: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83norm.htm
How to find the z-score given the area under a normal curve: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83invNorm.htm
How to find and graph the area under a normal curve: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83normArea.htm

Finally, the quiz on Monday, 14 September will be on measures of center and/or measures of spread.

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

If you have not already done so, please complete and submit the form from the bottom of the syllabus.

There is no class on Monday, 7 September 2009. I hope you an enjoyable and safe Labor Day Weekend.

We completed an example of a histogram, an example of a stemplot (a.k.a., stem-n-leaf plot from Section 2.1) and an example of a back-to-back stemplot both by hand and using the TI83/84.

See http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83stem.htm for instructions on using the TI83/84 to construct a stemplot.
See http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83hist.htm for instructions on using the TI83/84 to construct a histogram.

You should know the difference between a histogram and a bar graph. You should know how to change the start value and the class width (see the TI83/84 instruction pages above). Lastly, you should be able to describe the histogram or stemplot: shape, peaks, skewness, possible outliers (see p. 80 of your text).

Quiz #4 will be on Wednesday, 9 September and will consist of graphing either qualitative data (Section 2.1) or quantitative data (Section 2.2).

Homework #3 is due on Wednesday, 9 September and will consist of the following:

Section 2.1: #1–15 odd, 17acd, 19ade, 21acd, 25c, 27a
Section 2.2: #1-21 odd, 27, 29, 31

All graphs must be on graph paper. Also, make sure that all appropriate labels are shown.

Finally, Project 1 has been posted: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431Fa09Proj1.htm. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Monday, 31 August 2009

If you have not already done so, please complete and submit the form from the bottom of the syllabus.

Quiz 3 will be on Wednesday, 2 September and will cover anything we discussed so far in the course.

We completed another example of a bar graph using frequencies and a bar graph using relative frequencies (Section 2.1).

Homework # 3 is due on Wednesday, 9 September [there is no class on Monday, 7 September ] and will consist of the following:

Section 2.1: #1–15 odd, 17acd, 19ade, 21acd, 25c, 27a

All graphs must be on graph paper. Also, make sure that all appropriate labels are shown.

Today, we also discussed histograms (Section 2.2) and how to use the calculator to help sketch the histogram. You should know the difference between a histogram and a bar graph. On Wednesday, we will finish the histogram example that was started in today’s class. Also on Wednesday, we will complete another example of a histogram and do examples of a stemplot and timeplot. If we have time, we will start section 3.1.

Here are the links to the TI83/84 calculator instructions for constructing graphs of quantitative data:

How to Enter Data into Lists: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83list.htm
How to Make a Histogram: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83hist.htm
How to Make a Stemplot: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83stem.htm
How to Make a Timeplot: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431/ti83time.htm

Finally, Project 1 has been posted: http://stats.jjw3.com/math1431Fa09Proj1.htm. We talked about this in some detail in the class today. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.