What you’ll learn
Compare populations using center and variability.
Key idea
Equal means do not require equal MAD, and equal MAD does not require equal means.
Equal center does not imply equal spread and vice versa; preserve separate observed summaries and tentative population limits.
Worked example
Classify examples and non-examples for the concept 'Compare populations using center and variability'.
Classify the observed reading-time comparison A=[28, 36, 44, 52],B=[16, 32, 48, 64] minutes using mean and MAD, with numerical evidence.
- Observed A mean is 40 and MAD 8 minutes.
- Observed B mean is 40 and MAD 16; same center, different mad follows from separate center and spread measurements.
Answer: Same center, different MAD — means 40,40 and MADs 8,16 minutes.
Quick Check
Classify examples and non-examples for the concept 'Compare populations using center and variability'.
Classify the observed reading-time comparison A=[37, 39, 41, 43],B=[40, 42, 44, 46] minutes using mean and MAD, with numerical evidence.