Chapter 4, Problem 20E

(a)

To determine

To find: that the mean closer to 14, 15 or 16 inches.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

  

The mean is nearest to 15 inches. The peak would be around 15, and the spread is generally evenly about this peak (data points are symmetric distributed on both sides of the peak).

(b)

To determine

To find: that the standard deviation closer to 1 inch, 3 inches or 5 inches.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

  

The standard deviation is nearest to 1 inch. Both 3 inches and 5 inches extend the standard deviation outside of the range of the data. In generally, the number of data points within one standard deviation of the mean is about 68% of all of the data points.