16 Measures of Dispersion

16 Measures of Dispersion
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Activity  (10.5  0.5) min

 10 min
Activity 16.1 (p. 77) p. 55
(a) Measure of dispersion: range 1. (a) ∵ Q1 = 4, Q3 = 9
Reason: The highest and the lowest temperature of a day
can be easily obtained and the calculation is simple. ∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 9 – 4  5
(b) Measure of dispersion: inter-quartile range 69 19  21
Reason: Extreme data would not affect the result. (b) Q1   7.5 , Q3   20
2 2
(c) Measure of dispersion: inter-quartile range
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 20 – 7.5
Reason: Can be easily obtained from statistical graph.
 12.5
(d) Measure of dispersion: standard deviation
Reason: All data are taken into account. (c) Arrange the data in ascending order: 77, 95, 100, 105,
121, 144, 153
Activity 16.2 (p. 81) Q1 = 95, Q3 = 144
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 144 – 95
1. Measure of Data set Data set Data set  49
dispersion A B C 2. (d) Arrange the data in ascending order: 48, 54, 61, 66,
Range 3 3 6 T 70, 71, 77, 89, 90, 92
Inter-quartile 1.5 1.5 3 Q1 = 61, Q3 = 89
range ∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 89 – 61  28
Standard 1 1 2
deviation
2. (a) From the graph,
he measures of dispersion of data set B are the same as
that of data set A. Q1  10 min , Q3  25 min
 Q3  Q1
3. The measures of dispersion of data set C are twice that of (b) Inter-quartile range  ( 25  10) min
data set A.
 15 min

Follow-up Exercise 3. (a) Number of customers Cumulative

less than frequency (b)
0 0
p. 52 10 6
1. (a) ∵ Largest datum = 9 20 14
Smallest datum = –1 30 26
40 36
∴ Range = 9 – (–1)  10
50 40
(b) ∵ Largest datum = 77
Smallest datum = 32
∴ Range = 77 – 32  45
(c) ∵ Largest datum = 3.2
Smallest datum = –5.4
∴ Range = 3.2 – (–5.4)  8.6
(d) ∵ Largest datum = 123
Smallest datum = 66
∴ Range = 123 – 66  57

2. The highest class boundary = 10.5 min

The lowest class boundary = 0.5 min
∴ Range of the waiting time
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

IQs of the group in the upper half is more dispersed

than that in the lower half.

3. (a) >, >, <

(b) =, >, <
(c) >, <, =

p. 70
1. For set A,
2  5  1  7  9
mean  4
5
standard deviation
( 2  4) 2  (5  4) 2  (1  4) 2  (7  4) 2  (9  4) 2

5
4

(c) From the graph,

For set B,
median  25
1  0  10  9  (8)
range = 50.5 – 0.5  50 mean  2
Q1 = 15, Q3 = 34 5
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 34 – 15  19 standard deviation
( 1  2) 2  (0  2) 2  (10  2) 2  (9  2) 2  ( 8  2) 2

p. 63 5
 6.72 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
For set C,
11  10  19  17  26  13
mean   16
6
1. (a) standard deviation
(11  16) 2  (10  16) 2  (19  16) 2  (17  16) 2
 ( 26  16) 2  (13  16) 2

6
 5.48 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

(b) 2. set B

p. 73

7  4  12  10  17  6
1. Mean   12.5
4  10  6
Standard deviation
(c)
(7  12.5) 2  4  (12  12.5) 2  10  (17  12.5) 2  6
4  10  6
2. (a) Median  100  3.5
(b) Maximum IQ = 115
Minimum IQ = 92.5
∴ Range = 115 – 92.5 = 22.5 2. (a) Mean volume
Q1 = 97.5, Q3 = 105
343  3  346  8  349  12  352  2
∴ Inter-quartile range = 105 – 97.5 = 7.5  mL
(c) The median IQ is closer to the lower quartile than the 3  8  12  2
upper quartile. In other words, the distribution of the  347.56 mL
 16 Measures of Dispersion

(b) Standard deviation p. 87

(343  347 .56) 2  3  (346  347 .56) 2  8
(a) ∵ Each datum is increased by 2.
 (349  347 .56) 2  12  (352  347
∴.56  2will increase by 2.
) 2mean
The
 mL
3  8  12  2 The median will increase by 2.
 2.42 mL (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) The inter-quartile range and the standard deviation
will remain unchanged.
p. 74 ∴ The new mean = 10 + 2 = 12
7.04 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) The new median = 9 + 2 = 11
1.
9.22 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) The new inter-quartile range = 5
2.
5.19 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) The new standard deviation = 1
3.
(b) ∵ Each datum is decreased by 3.
4. 0.347 m (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The mean will decrease by 3.
The median will decrease by 3.
The inter-quartile range and the standard deviation
will remain unchanged.
∴ The new mean = 10 – 3 = 7
The new median = 9 – 3 = 6
The new inter-quartile range = 5
The new standard deviation = 1
(c) ∵ Each datum is tripled.
∴ The mean, the median, the inter-quartile range and
the standard deviation will be tripled.
∴ The new mean = 10  3 = 30
The new median = 9  3 = 27
The new inter-quartile range = 5  3 = 15
The new standard deviation = 1  3 = 3
(d) ∵ Each datum is increased by 10%.
∴ The mean, the median, the inter-quartile range and
the standard deviation will increase by 10%.
∴ The new mean = 10  (1 + 10%) = 11
The new median = 9  (1 + 10%) = 9.9
The new inter-quartile range = 5  (1 + 10%) =
5 .5
The new standard deviation = 1  (1 + 10%) = 1.1
(e) ∵ Each datum is decreased by 20%.
∴ The mean, the median, the inter-quartile range and
the standard deviation will decrease by 20%.
∴ The new mean = 10  (1 – 20%) = 8
The new median = 9  (1 – 20%) = 7.2
The new inter-quartile range = 5  (1 – 20%) = 4
The new standard deviation = 1  (1 – 20%) = 0.8
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

Exercise = 18 cm
6. (a) From the graph,
Exercise 16A (p. 57) Q1  30 , Q3  72
(b) Range = 100 – 10 = 90
Level 1
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 72 – 30 = 42
1. (a) ∵ Largest datum = 25
Smallest datum = 8
Level 2
∴ Range  25  8  17
7. (a) For class A,
(b) ∵ Largest datum = 1.2
Smallest datum = –0.9 median  25
∴ Range  1.2  ( 0.9)  2.1 Q1  10 , Q3  31.5
(c) ∵ Largest datum = 8 For class B,
Smallest datum = 1 median  23
∴ Range  8  1  7 Q1  20 , Q3  30
(b) For class A,
2. The highest class boundary = $2999.5 range = 35 – 5 = 30
The lowest class boundary = $1999.5
inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 31.5 – 10 = 21.5
∴ Range = $(2999.5 – 1999.5)
For class B,
= $1000
range = 40 – 15 = 25
3. (a) Q1 = –1, Q3 = 11 inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 30 – 20 = 10
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 11 – (–1) = 12 (c) ∵ Range and inter-quartile range of class A are
greater than that of class B.
( 3)  ( 1) 1 3
(b) Q1   2 , Q3  2 ∴ The marks of class A have a greater dispersion.
2 2
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 2 – (–2) = 4 8. (a) Amount of money Cumulative (b)
less than ($) frequency
68 13  17
(c) Q1   7 , Q3   15 0 0
2 2 10 5
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 15 – 7 = 8 20 20
30 28
4. (a) For athlete A: 40 38
∵ Highest score = 8.9 50 40
Lowest score = 7.7
∴ Range = 8.9 – 7.7 = 1.2
Q1 = 7.7, Q3 = 8.8
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 8.8 – 7.7 =
1.1
For athlete B:
∵ Highest score = 9.2
Lowest score = 8.3
∴ Range = 9.2 – 8.3 = 0.9
Q1 = 8.4, Q3 = 9.2
∴ Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 9.2 – 8.4 =
0.8
(b) ∵ Range and inter-quartile range of athlete B are
smaller than that of athlete A.
∴ Scores of athlete B have a smaller dispersion.

5. (a) From the graph,

Q1 = 157 cm, Q3 = 175 cm
(c) From the graph,
(b) Range = (180 – 150) cm = 30 cm
median  $20
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1
= (175 – 157) cm
 16 Measures of Dispersion

1 Exercise 16B (p. 65)

Q1  $13 , Q3 = $32
3 Level 1
 Q3  Q1
 1
∴ Inter-quartile range  $ 32  13 3 
 
2
 $18
3 1. (a)

9. (a) Number of credit Cumulative

card less than frequency
1 6
2 14
3 26
4 34 (b)
5 40

(c)

(d)

2. (a) Median  170 cm

(b) Maximum height = 182.5 cm
(b) Minimum height = 160 cm
(c) From the graph, ∴ Range = (182.5 – 160) cm = 22.5 cm
median  2.5 Q1 = 165 cm, Q3 = 172.5 cm
∴ Inter-quartile range = (172.5 – 165) cm =
Q1 = 1.5, Q3 = 3.5
7.5 cm
inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 3.5 – 1.5 = 2
(c) The median height is closer to the upper quartile than
the lower quartile. In other words, the distribution of
10. (a) Median = 177 cm heights of the boys in the lower half is more
Range = (185 – 170) cm  15 cm dispersed than that in the upper half.
Q1 = 175 cm, Q3 = 180 cm
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = (180 – 175) cm = 3. (a) ∵ The length of the box of test 2 is larger
5 cm ∴ Test 2 has a larger inter-quartile range of marks.
(b) Median, quartiles and inter-quartile range are not (b) ∵ The distance between two ends of whiskers of
affected since median = the mean of the 6th and 7th test 2 is smaller.
data which are unchanged. Similarly, Q1 = the mean of ∴ Test 2 has a smaller range of marks.
the 3rd and 4th data and Q3 = the mean of 9th and 10th (c) ∵ The orange bar in the box of test 1 is on the right
data which are all unchanged. As a result, inter-quartile of test 2.
range = Q3 – Q1 is unchanged. ∴ Test 1 has a higher median mark.

4. (a) 25%
(b) 50%
(c) Q1 = 70 km/h, Q3 = 76 km/h
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

Inter-quartile range = (76 – 70) km/h = 6 km/h 8. (a) For group A,

(d) The median speed is closer to the lower quartile than maximum = 10
the upper quartile. In other words, the distribution of minimum = 2
speeds of cars in the upper half is more dispersed
median = 7
than that in the lower half.
Q1 = 5
Q3 = 8
For group B,
maximum = 10
minimum = 3
median = 6
Q1 = 5
5.
Q3 = 9
or

(b)

(or any other reasonable answers) (c) (i) group A

(ii) group B
6. No, the lengths of the whiskers only represent the (iii) group A
distribution of the first 25% and the last 25% of data.
Their lengths may not be the same. (or any other 9. (a) For company A,
reasonable answers) Q1 = $5500
median = $6500
Level 2
Q3 = $7500
For company B,
Q1 = $6000
median = $6500
Q3 = $7000

7. (a)

(b) (i) Mathematics (b)

(ii) English
(iii) English (c) Company A has a more dispersed salary distribution
(c) The median mark of Chinese is closer to the lower since it has a larger inter-quartile range.
quartile than the upper quartile. In other words, the
distribution of marks of Chinese in the upper half is 10. (a) For school A,
more dispersed than that in the lower half. Q1 = 40
(d) Chinese, because her mark is in the top 25% of the median = 50
class.
Q3 = 56
For school B,
 16 Measures of Dispersion

Q1 = 44 Level 2
median = 60 9. Mean
Q3 = 90 ( x  3)  ( x  1)  ( x  4)  x  ( x  3)
  x  0 .6
5
Standard deviation
[( x  3)  ( x 
 [( x  4)  ( x
 [( x  3)  ( x


( 3  0.6) 2

 ( 0.6) 2
 (3 


 2 .5 8 (co r. to 3 s

10. Mean
a  (a  3d )  (a  5d )  (a  7 d )
(b)   a  3.75d
4
(c) School A has a less dispersed mark distribution since Standard deviation
it has a smaller inter-quartile range. [ a  ( a  3.75d )]2  [( a  3d )  ( a  3.75d )]2
 [(a  5d )  ( a  3.75d )]2  [(a  7 d )  ( a  3.75d

Exercise 16C (p. 75) 4
( 3.75d ) 2  (3d  3.75d ) 2  (5d  3.75d ) 2
Level 1
 (7 d  3.75d ) 2
1. Standard deviation = 3 
4
 2.59d (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
2. Standard deviation = 4
11. (a) Mean weight
3. Standard deviation = 2.73 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)  199.8 g (cor. to 4 sig. fig.)

(b) Standard deviation

4. Standard deviation = 2.77 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)  0.9171 g (cor. to 4 sig. fig.)

5. (a) For group A,

12. (a) (i) Mean mark  49.95
mean time = 15.85 s
(b) (ii) Standard deviation
For group B,  12.48 (cor. to 4 sig. fig.)
mean time = 15.6 s
(c) ∵ Standard deviation of school A > standard
(b) For group A,
deviation of school B
standard deviation = 0.415 s (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) ∴ School A’s result is more dispersed.
For group B,
standard deviation = 1.34 s (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
Exercise 16D (p. 87)
6. (a) Mean waiting time = 5.7 min Level 1
(b) Standard deviation = 2.76 min (cor. to 3 sig. 1. (a) ∵ Each datum is increased by 3.
fig.) ∴ The range and the standard deviation will
remain unchanged.
7. (a) 2, 2, 4, 4 or –2, –2, –4, –4 (or any other reasonable ∴ Range = 5
answers)
(b) 4, 4, 8, 8 or –4, –4, –8, –8 (or any other reasonable Standard deviation = 0.82
answers) (b) ∵ Each datum is multiplied by 4.
∴ The range and the standard deviation will be
8. No, for example: multiplied by 4.
A: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and B: 1, 2, 3, 3, 8 ∴ Range = 5  4 = 20
Inter-quartile range of A > inter-quartile range of B
Standard deviation = 0.82  4 = 3.28
standard deviation of A < standard deviation of B
(or any other reasonable answers) (c) ∵ Each datum is multiplied by 4 and then
increased by 3.
∴ The range and the standard deviation will be
multiplied by 4.
∴ Range = 5  4 = 20
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

Standard deviation = 0.82  4 = 3.28 8. (a) Standard deviation = 13.5 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
(b) (i) The range increases.
2. ∵ The height of each tree is increased by 12%. (ii) New standard deviation = 35.7 (cor. to 3 sig.
∴ The inter-quartile range will be increased by 12%. fig.)
∴ The new inter-quartile range = 10  (1 + 12%) m The standard deviation increases.
= 11 .2 m
9. (a) ∵ The salary of each employee is increased by
3. Range, because the highest price and the lowest price are $70.
the most important information. ∴ The mean will be increased by $70.
The standard deviation will remain unchanged.
4. (a) ∵ The curve of city A is always higher than that of ∴ The new mean = $(7000 + 70) = $7070
city B. The new standard deviation = $2000
∴ City A is warmer.
(b) ∵ The salary of each employee is increased by 1%.
(b) Range should be used since extreme temperatures are
the most important information. ∴ The mean and the standard deviation will both
increased by 1%.
(c) Range of city A = (23 – 20)C = 3C
Range of city B = (22 – 16)C = 6C ∴ The new mean = $7000  (1 + 1%) = $7070
∴ City B has a greater variation in temperature in The new standard deviation = $2000  (1 + 1%)
that day. = $2020
(c) The standard deviation will increase. Since those
5. (a) Standard deviation should be used since all data are employees have salaries equal to the mean, deleting
taken into account. them leads the data less concentrated about the mean.
(b) Standard deviation = 10.9 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
10. (a) For group A,
Level 2 mean
6. (a) Data set A
14  1  15  7  16  14  17  7  18  1
(b) For data set A, 
range = 7 – 3 = 4 1  7  14  7  1
Q1 = the 8th datum = 4  16
Q3 = the 23th datum = 6 median
∴ Inter-quartile range = 6 – 4 = 2
For data set B, the 15th datum  the 16th datum

range = 5 – 1 = 4 2
Q1 = the 8th datum = 2 16  16
Q3 = the 23th datum = 4 
2
∴ Inter-quartile range = 4 – 2 = 2
 16
(c) Standard deviation.
Standard deviation of data set A = 1.39 range = largest datum – smallest datum
Standard deviation of data set B = 1.13 = 18 – 14
∵ Standard deviation of data set A > standard = 4
deviation of data set B inter-quartile range = 23rd datum – the 8th datum
∵ Data set A is more spread out. = 17 – 15
= 2
7. (a) He made a good choice. The standard deviation takes
For group B,
all data into account and can be applied in further
mean
statistical calculations and analysis.
(b) Standard deviation = 0.110 kg (cor. to 3 sig. 14  3  15  7  16  10  17  7  18  3
fig.) 
3  7  10  7  3
(c) The machine does not function properly since the
standard deviation is greater than 0.1 kg.  16
median
 16 Measures of Dispersion

the 15th datum  the 16th datum inter-quartile range = the 23rd datum – the 8th datum
 = 17 – 15
2
= 2
16  16
 (b) Group B
2 (c) (i) The standard deviation will increase in group A
 16 since the leaving member has age equal to the
mean.
range = largest datum – smallest datum (ii) The standard deviation will decrease in group B
= 18 – 14 since the joining member has age equal to the
= 4 mean.
(d) The standard deviation will increase since the new
member’s age is not close to the mean. The data are
relatively less concentrated about the mean.
(e) The standard deviation will decrease since the two
leaving members have ages not close to the mean.
The data are relatively more concentrated about the
mean.

Revision Exercise 16 (p. 93)

Level 1
1. (a) Arrange the data in ascending order: –3, 2, 4, 5, 5
Range = 5 – (–3) = 8
2  ( 3)
Q1   0.5
2
55
Q3  5
2
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1
= 5 – (–0.5)
= 5 .5
(b) Arrange the data in ascending order:
–3.30, –2.50, –1.72, 1.77, 2.34, 3.54, 4.10, 5.03
Range = 5.03 – (–3.30)
= 8.33
( 1.72)  ( 2.50)
Q1 
2
 2.11
3.54  4.10
Q3 
2
 3.82
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1
= 3.82 – (–2.11)
= 5.93
(c) Arrange the data in ascending order:
2 1 2 5 3
, , , , ,1
7 3 5 8 4
2 5
Range  1  
7 7
1 3
Q1  , Q3 
3 4
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

 Q3  Q1 (c) ∵ The orange bar in the box of class B is on the

right of class A.
3 1
Inter-quartile range  4  3
∴ Class B has a higher median height.
(d) The median of class A is closer to the lower quartile
5 than to the upper quartile. In other words, the
 distribution of the heights is more dispersed in the
12
upper half than that in the lower half.

2. (a) Standard deviation = 3 8. (a) From the graph,

(b) Standard deviation = 2 Q1 = $8999
(c) Standard deviation = 1 Q3 = $12 499
(b) Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1
= $(12 499 – 8999)
3. (a) Median = 100
= $3500
(b) Range = 106 – 93 = 13
Inter-quartile range = 102 – 96 = 6 9. (a) Range = 9 – (–2)  11
(d) The median IQ is closer to the upper quartile than to
( 2)  1
the lower quartile. In other words, the distribution of Q1   0.5
IQs of students in the lower half (93 – 100) is more 2
dispersed than that in the upper half (100 – 106). 79
Q3  8
4. Standard deviation = 7.18 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 2
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1
= 8 – (–0.5)
= 8 .5
Standard deviation = 4
(b) (i) ∵ x is added to each datum.
∵ The standard deviation will remain
5. (a) unchanged.
∴ The standard deviation = 4
(ii) ∵ Each datum is doubled.
∴ The standard deviation will be doubled.
∴ The standard deviation = 4  2  8
(iii) ∵ Each datum is divided by 4.
(b) ∴ The standard deviation will be divided by
4.
∴ The standard deviation = 4  4 = 1

10. Standard deviation, since it can be applied in further

statistical calculations and analysis and all data are taken
into account.
(c)
11. Standard deviation, since it can be applied in further
statistical calculations and analysis and all data are taken
6. (a) Range = 90 – 30 = 60 into account.
(b) Inter-quartile range = 80 – 50 = 30
12. Data set A: 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5
(c) Median = 60 Data set B: 0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6 or
Data set A: 1, 3, 3, 5
7. (a) ∵ The distance between two ends of the whiskers Data set B: 0, 1, 3, 3, 5, 6 (or any other reasonable answers)
of class B is longer.
∴ Class B has the heights with a larger range. 13. (a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 2, 4, 6, 8
(b) ∵ The length of the box of class A is larger. (or any other reasonable answers)
∴ Class A has the heights with a larger inter- (b) 0, 0, 0, 0, 1 or 0, 0, 0, 3, 4
quartile range. (or any other reasonable answers)
Level 2
 16 Measures of Dispersion

14. (a) Range = 6 – 2 = 4

the 20th datum  the 21st datum

Median 
2
44

2
4
the 10th datum  the 11th datum
Q1 
2
3 4

2
 3.5
the 30th datum  the 31th datum
Q3 
2
55 (b)

2
(c) From the graph,
5
median  13
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1= 5 – 3.5  1.5
Q1 = 10
Q3 = 17
Inter-quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 17 – 10 = 7

(b)

15. (a) No. of time less than Cumulative frequency (d)

0 0
5 4 16. (a) For class A,
10 7
median  the 16th datum
15 19
20 27  28
Q1 = the 8th datum
25 29
= 10
30 30
Q3 = the 23rd datum
= 34
For class B,
median  the 15th datum
 26
the 7th datum  the 8th datum
Q1 
2
14  17

2
 15.5
the 22nd datum  the 23rd datum
Q3 
2
34  34

2
 34
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

(ii)

the 12th datum  the 13 datum

Q1 
2
14  14

2
 14

the 36th datum  the 37th datum

Q3 
(b) (i) class A 2
(ii) class B 15  15
(iii) class A 
2
17. (a) For Mathematics,  15
median  48  Q3  Q1
Inter-quartile range  15  14
Q1  40
Q3  63 1

For Chinese, (iii) Standard deviation  1

median  40 (b) The range will increase to 4 since the highest age is
increased by 1.
Q1  22 The inter-quartile range will remain unchanged since
Q3  60 the 37th datum will be the same as before.
The standard deviation will increase to 1.05 since the
new datum is not close to the mean, relatively less
data are concentrated about the mean.

20. (a)

0  2  1 7  2  12  3  7  4  2
Mean 
30
2

(b) Chinese has a more dispersed distribution since it has

a larger inter-quartile range. the 15th datum  the 16th datum
Median 
2
18. (a) (i) For battery A, 22
Q1 = 6.5 h, Q3 = 30 h 
 Q3  Q1
2
Inter-quartile range  (30  6.5) h 2

 23.5 h Inter-quartile range

For battery B,  the 23rd datum  the 8th datum

Q1 = 10 h, Q3 = 35 h  3 1
 Q3  Q1
 2
Inter-quartile range  (35  10) h
Standard deviation  1
 25 h
(b) The inter-quartile range will remain unchanged since
(ii) battery B the new and original lower and upper quartiles are the
(b) Yes, since it is less affected by extreme data. same. The standard deviation will increase since the
removed data are all equal to the mean, relatively less
 16  13 data are concentrated about the mean.
19. (a) (i) Range
3 (c) The inter-quartile range will remain unchanged since
the new and original lower and upper quartiles are the
same. The standard deviation will increase since the
 16 Measures of Dispersion

new datum is not close to the mean, relatively less  Q3  Q1  10  4  6

data are concentrated about the mean. ∴ Inter-quartile range

abcd 2. Answer: A
21. (a) ∵  5 and From the graph,
4
Q1 = 65, Q3 = 80
abcd  x  Q3  Q1  80  65  15
5
5 ∴ Inter-quartile range
5 4  x
5 3. Answer: C
∴ 5
x5
( a  2d )  (a  d )  a  ( a  d )  (a  2d )
(b) ∵ Mean 
5
( a  5) 2  (b  5) 2  (c  5) 2  (d  5) 2 a
2
4 ∴ Standard deviation
∴ Standard deviation
( a  5) 2  (b  5) 2  (c  5) 2 [( a  2d )  a ]2  [(a  d )  a ]2  ( a  a ) 2
 ( d  5) 2
 ( x  5) 2
  [( a  d )  a ]2  [(a  2d )  a ]2
5 
5
2 2  4  (5  5) 2 10 d 2
 
5 5
 1.79 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)  2d 2
 2d
5  7  m  13
Mean 
22. ∵ 4 4. Answer: A
25  m For group A,
 mean = a,
4
inter-quartile range = 4
2 2
 25  m   25  m  standard deviation = 2
5    7   
 4   4 
∴  25  m  
2
25  m 
2

m    13  
 4   4  3
4

 25  m   25  m 
25  5     
 2   4 
2
 25  m   25 
    m 2
 m
 4   2
 25  m   25 
 169  13   
 2   4
4
 25 
243  m 2
 ( 25  m )
 2
4
972 

29
m  7 or m 
3

Multiple Choice Questions (p. 99)

1. Answer: B
Q1 = the 2nd datum = 4
Q3 = the 5th datum = 10
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 5B

For group B,
mean = a
inter-quartile range = 10
standard deviation = 22
∴ Only I is true.

5. Answer: A
From the diagram,
median of data set A = median of data set B
range of data set A > range of data set B
inter-quartile range of data set A < inter-quartile range of
data set B
∴ Only I and II are true.

6. Answer: B
From the diagram, Chinese has the least inter-quartile
range.

7. Answer: D
∵ Each datum is decreased by 5%.
∴ The mean and the standard deviation of the set of
data will also be decreased by 5%.
∴ The new mean  m  (1  5%)  0.95m
The new standard deviation
 s  (1  5%)  0.95 s

8. Answer: C
∵ Each datum is decreased by 2.
∴ The mean of the set of data will also be decreased by
2.
The inter-quartile range and the standard deviation
will remain unchanged.
∴ The new mean  m  2
The new inter-quartile range  q
The new standard deviation  s

9. Answer: B
Because all the salaries of the leaving employees are equal
to the mean, removing them will not change the mean.
Moreover, the distribution of data will be less concentrated
about the mean, as a result, the standard deviation will
increase.

10. Answer: B
From the graph,
range of P = range of Q
inter-quartile range of P < inter-quartile range of Q
median of P = median of Q
∴ Only II is true.

11. Answer: C
For I, standard deviation = 14.1 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
For II, standard deviation = 11.0 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
For III, standard deviation = 16.0 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ II < I < III