Math Problem Statement

The results of 24 students in a test are given in the table. Find the midpoint of each group of marks and calculate an estimate of the mean mark. Explain why your answer is an estimate.

Solution

Let's solve the question step by step based on the image provided:

Part (a): Find the midpoint of each group of marks and calculate an estimate of the mean mark.

To find the midpoint of each group of marks, use the formula: Midpoint=Lower limit+Upper limit2\text{Midpoint} = \frac{\text{Lower limit} + \text{Upper limit}}{2}

For the provided dataLet's solve the question step by step based on the image provided:

Part (a): Find the midpoint of each group of marks and calculate an estimate of the mean mark.

To find the midpoint of each group of marks, use the formula: Midpoint=Lower limit+Upper limit2\text{Midpoint} = \frac{\text{Lower limit} + \text{Upper limit}}{2}

For the provided

MarkFrequencyMidpoint (xx)
85–99485+992=92\frac{85+99}{2} = 92
70–84770+842=77\frac{70+84}{2} = 77
55–69855+692=62\frac{55+69}{2} = 62
40–54540+542=47\frac{40+54}{2} = 47

Now, calculate the mean using the formula for the estimated mean:

Mean=(Midpoint×Frequency)Frequency\text{Mean} = \frac{\sum (\text{Midpoint} \times \text{Frequency})}{\sum \text{Frequency}}

Calculations:

(92×4)+(77×7)+(62×8)+(47×5)=368+539+496+235=1638(92 \times 4) + (77 \times 7) + (62 \times 8) + (47 \times 5) = 368 + 539 + 496 + 235 = 1638

Total Frequency=4+7+8+5=24\text{Total Frequency} = 4 + 7 + 8 + 5 = 24

So, the estimated mean is:

Mean=16382468.25\text{Mean} = \frac{1638}{24} \approx 68.25

Part (b): Explain why the answer is an estimate.

The answer is an estimate because we are using the midpoints of the groups to represent all the values within each group. Since we don't know the exact marks of each student, we assume that each student's mark is approximately the midpoint of their respective group.


Would you like further details or explanations? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do you calculate the median in grouped data like this?
  2. What is the range of this data set?
  3. How would the estimated mean change if one student's score were known exactly?
  4. How can we calculate the variance or standard deviation from this data?
  5. What is the impact of the frequency distribution on the mean?

Tip: When estimating from grouped data, using the midpoints of each group gives a practical but not exact average value. Always keep this approximation in mind.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Statistics
Grouped Data
Estimation of Mean

Formulas

Midpoint = (Lower limit + Upper limit) / 2
Estimated Mean = Σ(Midpoint × Frequency) / Σ(Frequency)

Theorems

Estimation Techniques in Grouped Data

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10