MDM 4U1
Working With Excel
Name:
For this assignment you may use your textbook, notes, Fathom, and MS Excel. The purpose of
this assignment is to familiarize yourself with MS Excel and Fathom and apply your knowledge
from Unit 4: One-Variable Statistics.
Open the Excel file “Wimbledon and Olympic Data” from the “student’s common” directory:
Student’s Common >> Ms. Dunn >> Data Management.
This file contains 6 worksheets, each containing data relating to the Olympic marathon, the
Olympic 100-m dash or the Wimbledon tennis championships. Part 1 of this assignment will
take you step-by-step through the basics of Excel using the Olympic Marathon Data. You will
apply what you have learned to the remaining worksheets. Part 2 gives you an introduction to
Fathom.
Part 1 – Learning How to Use MS Excel
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Click on the tab at the bottom of the screen for “Men’s Marathon”
Below the table in cell B30, type in “mean”
In cells B31, B32, and B33, type in “median”, “mode”, and “standard deviation”.
Format cells B30 to B33 so that the text is aligned to the right of the cell.
In cell C30, you will calculate the mean age for this data. Click on the cell and type
“=average( “. Highlight the data for age starting from C3 and ending in C28. Close the
bracket “)” and press enter.
Repeat the same process to calculate the median, mode, and standard deviation. Use
the following commands: “=median( )”, “=mode( )”, and “=stdev( )”.
Which measure(s) of central tendency is/are most appropriate for this set of data? Explain.
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Calculate the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation for the column “Result
(minutes)”. Instead of typing in the formulas again, try this:
Click on the cell with the mean age (C30). With the cell highlighted, notice the small
black square on the bottom right corner of the cell. Click on this square and drag it to
the right so the cell beside it is highlighted. Click on cell D30 and look at the formula bar
at the top. What do you notice?
Calculate the other measures in the same way.
Why is there an error message when you try to calculate the mode?
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Click on the tab at the bottom of the screen for “Women’s Marathon”.
Compare this set of data to the previous set. What differences do you notice? Search online to
see if you can find a reason for this difference.
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Calculate each of the measures of central tendency and the standard deviation for “Age”
and “Result (minutes).
Compare the results for the two sets of data (Men’s vs Women’s). What comparisons and
conclusions can be made about the age of the runners? The finish times of the runners? Be
specific.
Part 2 – Learning How to Use Fathom
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Open Fathom
With the Excel window open, highlight the full Men’s Marathon Results table (include
the headings for the columns, exclude the main title, and exclude your calculations
underneath the table), right-click, and select copy.
Minimize the Excel window and return to the Fathom window.
Drag a new collection into the document. Right-click on the collection and select Paste
Cases. Double click the collection to rename it.
With the Collection selected (outlined by a blue box) drag a Table into the document.
Check to see that the table has copied correctly.
Create a histogram of the Age of the male athletes. Drag a graph into the document
and drag the attribute Age to the x-axis. In the upper right corner of the graph, select
Histogram.
Create a Box Plot for the same set of data.
You can calculate statistical values using a Summary Table.
o Drag a Summary Table into the document. Drag and drop the attribute Age
where it says “Drop attribute here”.
o Right-click on the summary table and select Add Basic Statistics.
o Right-click again and select Add Five-Number Summary for a fairly complete
list of one-variable statistics.
Classify the distribution for the age of male marathon champions. Explain your choice.
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Create a histogram, box plot, and summary table for the attribute Result (minutes).
Create a new collection, the same graphical displays, and a summary table for the
attributes provided for the Women’s Marathon Results.
Experiment with the graphs you have created. Try to get the scales of the Men’s and
Women’s graphs to be the same. This will allow you to more easily compare the results.
Compare the results for the two sets of data. What additional information do the graphical
displays provide?
Repeat all steps above for the Men’s and Women’s Olympic 100-m, and the Men’s and
Women’s Wimbledon Results. Create a report in MS Word that compares and contrasts the
results of your analysis. You should use calculations and graphs to support any statements or
conclusions that you make.
Which statistical measures are most meaningful in making these comparisons?
What comparisons and conclusions can you make about the ages and results for the groups of
athletes?
How would you classify the types of distributions that you find, and what is the significance or
meaning of those classifications?
Discuss any limitations you must place on your conclusions.