Question

for each of the following, determine whether the question is a statistical question. give a reason for your a
a. how many letters are in my last name?
b how many letters are in the last names of the students in my 6th grade class?
c. what are the colors of the shoes worn by the students in my school?
d. what is the maximum number of feet that roller coasters drop during a ride?
e. what are the heart rates of the students in a 6th grade class?
f. how many hours of sleep per night do 6th graders usually get when they have school the next
g. how many miles per gallon do compact cars get?

Explanation:

A statistical question has variability in the data that would be collected to answer it.

• a. This is not a statistical question as there is only one definite answer for the number of letters in one's own last - name.
• b. This is a statistical question because different students in the 6th - grade class will have last names with different numbers of letters, so there is variability in the data.
• c. This is a statistical question since different students in the school will wear shoes of different colors, resulting in variable data.
• d. This is a statistical question as different roller coasters have different maximum drop heights, so there is variability in the data.
• e. This is a statistical question because different 6th - grade students will have different heart rates, leading to variable data.
• f. This is a statistical question as different 6th - graders will have different sleep - hour amounts, creating variability in the data.
• g. This is a statistical question as different compact cars can have different miles - per - gallon ratings, resulting in variable data.

Answer:

a. Not a statistical question. Reason: There is a single, definite answer for one's own last - name.
b. Statistical question. Reason: Different students have last names with different numbers of letters.
c. Statistical question. Reason: Different students wear shoes of different colors.
d. Statistical question. Reason: Different roller coasters have different maximum drop heights.
e. Statistical question. Reason: Different students have different heart rates.
f. Statistical question. Reason: Different 6th - graders have different sleep - hour amounts.
g. Statistical question. Reason: Different compact cars have different miles - per - gallon ratings.