/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 22 Find the coefficient of variatio... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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Find the coefficient of variation for each of the two samples; then compare the variation. (The same data were used in Section 3-I.) Listed below are amounts (in millions of dollars) collected from parking meters by Brinks and others in New York City during similar time periods. A larger data set was used to convict five Brinks employees of grand larceny. The data were provided by the attorney for New York City, and they are listed on the DASL Website. Do the two samples appear to have different amounts of variation? $$\begin{array}{lcccccccccc} \text { Collection Contractor Was Brinks } & 1.3 & 1.5 & 1.3 & 1.5 & 1.4 & 1.7 & 1.8 & 1.7 & 1.7 & 1.6 \\ \text { Collection Contractor Was Not Brinks } & 2.2 & 1.9 & 1.5 & 1.6 & 1.5 & 1.7 & 1.9 & 1.6 & 1.6 & 1.8 \end{array}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The coefficient of variation is 11.48% for Brinks and 12.72% for Not Brinks. Not Brinks has slightly higher variability.

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Coefficient of Variation

The coefficient of variation (CV) is a standardized measure of dispersion of a probability distribution or frequency distribution. It is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, often expressed as a percentage. The formula is given by: \[ CV = \frac{\sigma}{\mu} \times 100\% \] where \( \sigma \) is the standard deviation and \( \mu \) is the mean.
02

- Calculate the Mean for Each Sample

First, find the mean (\( \mu \)) for each sample. For Brinks: \[ \mu_1 = \frac{1.3 + 1.5 + 1.3 + 1.5 + 1.4 + 1.7 + 1.8 + 1.7 + 1.7 + 1.6}{10} = \frac{15.5}{10} = 1.55 \]For Not Brinks: \[ \mu_2 = \frac{2.2 + 1.9 + 1.5 + 1.6 + 1.5 + 1.7 + 1.9 + 1.6 + 1.6 + 1.8}{10} = \frac{17.3}{10} = 1.73 \]
03

- Calculate the Standard Deviation for Each Sample

Next, find the standard deviation (\( \sigma \)) for each sample. For Brinks: \[ \sigma_1 = \sqrt{\frac{(1.3 - 1.55)^2 + (1.5 - 1.55)^2 + \ (1.3 - 1.55)^2 + (1.5 - 1.55)^2 + (1.4 - 1.55)^2 + (1.7 - 1.55)^2 + (1.8 - 1.55)^2 + (1.7 - 1.55)^2 + (1.7 - 1.55)^2 + (1.6 - 1.55)^2}{10 - 1}} \]\[ \sigma_1 = \sqrt{\frac{0.0625 + 0.0025 + 0.0625 + 0.0025 + 0.0225 + 0.0225 + 0.0625 + 0.0225 + 0.0225 + 0.0025}{9}} = \sqrt{\frac{0.285}{9}} = \sqrt{0.03167} \approx 0.178 \]For Not Brinks: \[ \sigma_2 = \sqrt{\frac{(2.2 - 1.73)^2 + (1.9 - 1.73)^2 + (1.5 - 1.73)^2 + (1.6 - 1.73)^2 + (1.5 - 1.73)^2 + (1.7 - 1.73)^2 + (1.9 - 1.73)^2 + (1.6 - 1.73)^2 + (1.6 - 1.73)^2 + (1.8 - 1.73)^2}{10 - 1}} \]\[ \sigma_2 = \sqrt{\frac{0.2209 + 0.0289 + 0.0529 + 0.0084 + 0.0529 + 0.0009 + 0.0289 + 0.0169 + 0.0169 + 0.0049}{9}} = \sqrt{\frac{0.4335}{9}} = \sqrt{0.04817} \approx 0.219 \]
04

- Calculate the Coefficient of Variation for Each Sample

Now, use the formula for CV to calculate it for both samples. For Brinks: \[ CV_1 = \frac{\sigma_1}{\mu_1} \times 100 \% = \frac{0.178}{1.55} \times 100 \% \approx 11.48 \% \]For Not Brinks: \[ CV_2 = \frac{\sigma_2}{\mu_2} \times 100 \% = \frac{0.219}{1.73} \times 100 \% \approx 12.72 \% \]
05

- Compare the Coefficients of Variation

Compare the calculated CVs: \[ CV_1 (\text{Brinks}) = 11.48 \% CV_2 (\text{Not Brinks}) = 12.72 \% \]Since the coefficient of variation for Not Brinks is slightly higher than that for Brinks, it indicates a slightly higher variability in the amounts collected by contractors who were not Brinks.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

statistical analysis
Statistical analysis involves collecting and examining data to uncover patterns and trends. It utilizes various techniques to make sense of data collected from different sources.
In the case of our exercise, we are interested in comparing the variation in amounts collected from parking meters between two different contractors.
This comparison helps us understand if there are significant differences in how consistent the collection amounts are. We use calculations such as the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation to achieve this.
These metrics provide insights into the central tendency and the dispersion of the data sets, helping us deduce whether the variability in collections is more pronounced for Brinks or the other contractor.
descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics summarize and describe the main features of a data set. In simpler terms, it provides a way to understand the essential characteristics of the data without delving into every individual data point.
For our exercise, the key descriptive statistics we used are the mean and the standard deviation.
  • The mean, or average, represents the central point of the data set.
  • The standard deviation measures the spread of the data points around this central point.
These two metrics allowed us to calculate the coefficient of variation.
The mean for Brinks and Not Brinks gives us an overall idea of the average collection amounts. Meanwhile, the standard deviation tells us how much the collection amounts deviate from the mean.
With these calculations, we are set to understand how the data for each contractor behaves and how consistent each one's collection amounts are over time.
comparing variability
When comparing variability, we look at how spread out the data is within each group. This is where the coefficient of variation becomes very useful.
The coefficient of variation (CV) is a standardized way to measure and compare the degree of variation between different data sets.
By definition, the CV is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, and it is expressed as a percentage. This percentage allows us to compare datasets on a relative basis irrespective of their units or scales.
In our exercise, we found that:
  • Brinks has a CV of approximately 11.48%.
  • Not Brinks has a CV of approximately 12.72%.
These results show that the Not Brinks data set has a slightly higher variability compared to the Brinks data set.
This means that the amounts collected by Not Brinks vary more from their average compared to the amounts collected by Brinks.
Understanding and comparing variability helps in making informed decisions and understanding the consistency of processes or outcomes in different scenarios.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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In what sense are the mean, median, mode, and midrange measures of "center"?

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