Download Topics List for the First Test

Topics List for the First Test
The student should be able to:
1. define, recognize and compare: the population and a sample; a parameter and a statistics;
2. determine and compare simple random sample, convenience sample and self-selected sample
(a.k.a. voluntary sample);
3. determine and compare the levels of a variable: ratio, interval, ordinal or nominal;
4. define and determine the type of variable: discrete or continuous;
5. define, determine and compare the mean, median, mode and midrange;
6. given a set of data, determine the range, standard deviation and variance;
7. know not to use the mean and median for nominal data;
8.
9.
10.
11.
given a frequency distribution, find the mean, standard deviation and variance;
be able to find and compare z-scores;
be able to find percentiles and quartiles;
use the Empirical Rule and recognize data as usual or unusual;
12. construct and answer questions about graphs, especially: histograms, boxplots, pie charts, dot
plots, stem plots and bar charts;
13. recognize and discuss misleading graphs;
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
determine classical (theoretical) and empirical probabilities;
calculate probabilities using tables of data;
determine if two events are disjoint;
apply the addition rule: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A and B);
determine the complement of an event and its probability: P(Ā ) = 1 – P(A).
Disclaimer: This is only a guide to possible exam topics. Your exam could include any topic discussed in
class or on our homework!
Note: if you want the final result accurate to three significant digits, keep at least five significant digits
accuracy in the supporting calculations.