Chapter 1.2, Problem 58E

Solution

a)

The variability in sugar content of cereals in the three shelves.

The variability in sugar content of cereals on bottom shelf and middle shelf are same and are different from top shelf.

Given:Data of 76 brands of cereal at a local super market showing the sugar content and the shelf in super market the cereal brand is located in the form of below shown dot plot.

  

Explanation:The sugar content in bottom shelf -1 vary from 0 grams per serving to 15 grams per serving.

The sugar content in middle shelf -2 vary from 0 grams per serving to 15 grams per serving.

The sugar content in top shelf -3 vary from 0 grams per serving to 14 grams per serving.

So the variability in sugar content in bottom and middle shelves are same and are different from top shelf.

b)

To determine: Whether the critics claim that super markets tend to put sugary cereals where kids can see them is correct or not.

The data from the study support the critics claim that super markets tend to put sugary cereals where kids can see them.

Explanation:From the given dot plot, the data distribution of sugar content in bottom shelf and top shelf are skewed to the right and there are less number of sugary cereals with high sugar content. The data distribution of sugar content in middle shelf is skewed to left, so there are more number of cereals with high sugar content in middle shelf. From the given information the shelf − 2 middle shelf is at about eye level for kids in most super markets.

Hence the data supports the critics claim that super markets tend to put sugary cereals where kids can see them.