Download Mean absolute deviation

Name: _______________________
Statistics – Mean Absolute Deviation
Example Problem 1
The range can tell us if there is a big spread in the data
because it shows the difference between the highest and
lowest scores in the data set.
However, because it only takes two numbers
into account, it can be misleading. Take for
example the grades of two students.
Heidi: 75, 88, 91, 92, 95, 99
Mean:
Range:
Eric: 87, 88, 91, 92, 95, 99
Date: _______
Class: Pre-Algebra
1
Sheet # 09-02
The table below shows the current top 5 record
holders for fastest steel roller coasters as posted
by Wikipedia.com [as of 2014].
Coaster
Country
Formula Rossa – Ferrari World
Kingda Ka – Six Flags
Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point
Dodanpa – Fuji-Q Highland
Tower of Terror – Dreamworld
United Arab Emirates
United States
United States
Japan
Australia
Speed
149 mph
128 mph
120 mph
107 mph
104 mph
Part A Find the mean absolute deviation for the set of data.
Mean:
SPEEDS
MEAN
ABSOLUTE DEVIATION
score  mean
Range:
While the range of Heidi's grades is twice of Eric's, their
grades are exactly the same, except for one extreme score.
The scores are very alike but we are led to believe there is a
huge difference.
We can take all scores into account if we use another
measure called the mean absolute deviation. This measure
calculates the average distance EACH score is from the mean.
All we must do is calculate the average of the distances.
Using a chart like the following one may be helpful but is
not necessary. Mean absolute deviation is the average of the
last column.
HEIDI’S
SCORES
MEAN
Mean absolute deviation: _________
Part B Describe what the mean absolute deviation
represents.
ABSOLUTE DEVIATION
score  mean
2
The top speeds of five birds in mph are 106, 96, 88, 85,
and 80.
Part A Find the mean absolute deviation for the set of data.
Mean absolute deviation: _________
ERIC’S
SCORES
MEAN
ABSOLUTE DEVIATION
score  mean
Mean absolute deviation: _________
Part B Describe what the mean absolute deviation
represents.
Mean absolute deviation: _________
3
The table shows the height of waterslides at two
different water parks.
6
The table shows the high temperature for 6 days.
Which of the following is the mean absolute
deviation for the set of data?
Part A Find the mean absolute deviation for Splash Lagoon.
A
4°F
C
10°F
B
4.8°F
D
68°F
Mean absolute deviation: _________
Part B Find the mean absolute deviation for Wild Water
Bay.
7
Mean absolute deviation: _________
The table shows the prices for parking at various
beaches along the same coastline.
A
$0.25
C
$2.50
B
$0.66
D
$2.55
Part C Write a few sentences comparing the variations
found in Part A and B.
4
What does the word deviate mean? [google it!]
How can it help you remember what the word
mean absolute deviation refers to?
8
5
How does the word absolute help you to
remember how to calculate the mean absolute
deviation?
Which of the following is true concerning the
mean absolute deviation of a set of data?
A
B
C
D
It describes the variation of the data values
around the median.
It describes the absolute value of the mean.
It describes the average distance between each
data value and the mean.
It describes the variation of the data values
around the mode.