Optional FE Review:
Probability, computational tools, ethics
Chris Rehmann
Probability and statistics
• Measures of central tendency and dispersion
(e.g., mean, mode, standard deviation)
• Estimation for a single mean (e.g., point,
confidence intervals)
• Regression and curve fitting
• Expected value (weighted average) in decision
making
Central tendency & dispersion: ex. P1
The mean of the numbers 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 5, 10, & 100
is
A.
B.
C.
D.
1
3
13
50.5
Central tendency & dispersion: ex. P2
The median of the numbers 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 5, 10, &
100 is
A.
B.
C.
D.
1
3
13
50.5
Central tendency & dispersion: ex. P3
The mode of the numbers 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 5, 10, & 100
is
A.
B.
C.
D.
1
3
13
50.5
Central tendency & dispersion: AUC #22
Estimation for a single mean: ex. P4
Three samples from a normally distributed population
with standard deviation of 1000 are 3650, 8035, and
5727. The 95% confidence interval on the mean is
most nearly
A.
B.
C.
D.
[355, 11253]
[3650, 8035]
[3844, 7764]
[4672, 6936]
Estimation for a single mean: ex. P5
Three samples from a normally distributed population
with unknown standard deviation are 3650, 8035, and
5727. The 95% confidence interval on the mean is
most nearly
A.
B.
C.
D.
[355, 11253]
[3650, 8035]
[3844, 7764]
[4672, 6936]
Regression and curve fitting: ex. 6
A least-squares line fit to (0, 2), (1, 0), and (2, -3) is most
nearly
A.
B.
C.
D.
y = -1.5x
y = 2.17 – 2.5x
y = 2 – 2.5x
y = 2 – 2x
Regression and curve fitting: AUC #25
Expected value in decisions: Ex. 7
A student group is planning an outdoor event. If no
rain occurs, their profit will be $200. If they have to
cancel because of rain, they will lose $100. If the
chance of rain is 30% and they do not know what the
weather will be, their expected profit is most nearly
A. $60
B. $110
C. $140
D. $200
Expected value in decisions: AUC #27
Computational tools
• Spreadsheet computations
• Structured programming (e.g., if-then, loops,
macros)
Spreadsheet computations: AUC #41
Structured programming: AUC #44
Structured programming: AUC #45
Structured programming: AUC #46
Ethics and professional responsibility
• Codes of ethics (professional and technical
societies)
• Professional liability
• Licensure
• Sustainability and sustainable design
• Professional skills (e.g., public policy,
management, and business)
• Contracts and contract law
Ethics & responsbility: example E1
The first responsibility of licensed civil engineers
is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
Their companies
Their clients
The public welfare
The American Society of Civil Engineers
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #47
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #48
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #49
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #50
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #51
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #52
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #53
Ethics & responsibility: AUC #54