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Use a normal probability plot to assess whether the sample data could have come from a population that is normally distributed. Customer Service A random sample of weekly work logs at an automobile repair station was obtained, and the average number of customers per day was recorded. $$\begin{array}{lllll} \hline 26 & 24 & 22 & 25 & 23 \\ \hline 24 & 25 & 23 & 25 & 22 \\ \hline 21 & 26 & 24 & 23 & 24 \\ \hline 25 & 24 & 25 & 24 & 25 \\ \hline 26 & 21 & 22 & 24 & 24 \\ \hline \end{array}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The data is likely normally distributed if the points in the normal probability plot roughly form a straight line.

Step by step solution

01

- Organize the Data

List all the given values in a single sorted list: 21, 21, 22, 22, 22, 23, 23, 23, 23, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 26, 26.
02

- Calculate Percentiles

Assign a rank to each value. For each rank (i), compute its percentile using the formula: Percentile Rank = \[ \frac{i-0.5}{n} \], where n is the total number of data points (25 in this case).
03

- Determine Z-scores

Convert each percentile rank to a corresponding z-score using a standard normal distribution table.
04

- Construct the Normal Probability Plot

Plot the sorted data values on the y-axis and the corresponding z-scores on the x-axis.
05

- Assess Linearity

Evaluate the plot for linearity. If the points closely follow a straight line, it suggests that the data could have come from a normally distributed population.

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Key Concepts

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

normal distribution
A normal distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a symmetric, bell-shaped curve where most of the data points cluster around the mean (average). This type of distribution is important in statistics because it naturally describes a variety of random variables.
Key characteristics:
  • The mean, median, and mode of a normal distribution are all equal and located at the center.
  • It has a single peak (unimodal).
  • The tails of the distribution extend infinitely but never touch the x-axis.
  • It is fully defined by its mean and standard deviation.
In the context of the exercise, understanding whether the sample data follows a normal distribution helps in making reliable predictions and decisions based on that data. Observing the weekly work logs through this lens allows us to determine patterns and irregularities in customer service metrics.
z-scores
A z-score tells us how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean. Z-scores are used to understand the position of an individual data point within the distribution.
Formula: The z-score of a value, x, in a dataset is calculated using the formula:
\[ z = \frac{x - \text{mean}}{\text{standard deviation}} \]
Importance of Z-scores:
  • They allow for standardization of data, making it possible to compare values from different distributions.
  • Z-scores help in identifying outliers (data points that are significantly higher or lower than the rest).
  • In the normal probability plot, z-scores help us evaluate how closely our data aligns with the normal distribution.
In the provided solution, calculating z-scores for the data points at each percentile aids in constructing the normal probability plot.
percentiles
Percentiles measure the relative standing of a value within a dataset – specifically, the value below which a given percentage of data falls.
Use in Statistics:
  • If a score is in the 90th percentile, it means that it is higher than 90% of the other scores.
  • They are useful in comparing datasets and understanding the distribution of data.
Formula: To find the percentile rank of a value, we use:
\[ \text{Percentile Rank} = \frac{i-0.5}{n} \] where 'i' is the rank order of a data point and 'n' is the total number of data points. In our exercise, calculating the percentile ranks for the sorted data points was an essential step preceding the conversion to z-scores. This helps maintain the sequence and establish a foundation for the normal probability plot.
linearity assessment
Linearity assessment involves evaluating the relationship between two variables to see if they form a straight line when plotted. In a normal probability plot, linearity assessment helps determine if the data follows a normal distribution.
Steps:
  • Plot the sorted data values on the y-axis.
  • Plot the corresponding z-scores on the x-axis.
  • Evaluate the alignment of the points.
Interpretation:
  • If the points form a straight line, the data likely follows a normal distribution.
  • If the points deviate significantly from a straight line, the data may not be normally distributed.
Understanding this helps in verifying assumptions about the distribution of your data, which is crucial for many statistical methods and analyses.

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