Project 1 – M&M Data Introduction
Due: Tuesday, January 12
Name:______________________________
No late projects are accepted.
Objective: The purpose of this project is to learn about descriptive statistics, obtain data that
can be used all term, and get acquainted with a spreadsheet program and some statistical features
of your calculator
1. Go to your instructor’s website and obtain the class data. Create a frequency histogram
using the class data of the Total Number of M&Ms per package. Create a second
histogram for the weight data. Comment on the shape of the histograms (symmetry and
skewness). Give each of the histograms a title and label each axis. Print and attach the
histograms and comments to this project.
To make a histogram: Excel is really annoying to use for a histogram unless it has the MegaStat feature
loaded. The computers in the Learning Center computer lab have this so go there to construct the frequency
histogram. For example: Input the Total Number of M&Ms data in one column. Click Add-Ins, MegaStat,
Frequency Distribution, and Quantitative. There will be a pop-up that needs the Input Range. Highlight the
column of data and it will be used to create the histogram. If you want to use a different program to make
histograms, then that is fine too. The histograms must not be hand drawn.
2. Determine summary statistics for the Total Number of M&Ms that include the mean,
median, mode, range, standard deviation, and variance. Summarize these neatly in a
table and attach to this project. You may use the statistical features of your calculator for
these calculations. Also comment on how your package total compares to the class data.
3. Determine summary statistics for the Total Weight of M&Ms that include the mean,
median, mode, range, standard deviation, and variance. Summarize these neatly in a
table and attach to this project. You may use the statistical features of your calculator for
these calculations. Also comment on how your package weight compares to the class
data.
4. For this exercise, I conducted the sampling for you. I purchased the packages of M&Ms.
Each package was one sampled item. I bought packs from four different stores and
randomly grabbed packages from different check out aisles in each store. Was this an
example of a simple random sample? Explain why or why not.
5. Describe the population from which the sample was taken.
6. Why is there not the same number of M&Ms in each package and why are they not each
the same weight?
7. What would you say is the true number of M&Ms that you would expect in a package?
8. What would you say is the true weight of M&Ms that you would expect in a package?
9. Give two questions that we might try to answer by using the data.
1.____________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________
10. Select two of the colors and create side-by-side boxplots using the class data (see Figure
1.14 and the paragraph on page 28 in your book). Label the plots completely and indicate
any outliers as noted on page 27 of your book. Write a paragraph that compares the
features of the two boxplots. Attach your boxplots and paragraph to this project.
11. Suppose the manufacturer intended to fill the bag with the same number of each color.
Does the data from the class suggest that the manufacturer has failed? Explain.
12. Suppose the manufacturer intended to fill the bag to a weight of 47.9g. Does the data
from the class suggest that the manufacturer has failed? Explain.