Assertion and reason: averages

Exercise and reference answers

Questions

1. Reason

   It is computed from the total, which that value inflates.

   Verdict

   Both are true; the reason explains the assertion.

   Assertion

   The mean is sensitive to an unusually large value.

2. Reason

   It uses only the largest and smallest observations.

   Verdict

   Both are true; the reason explains the assertion.

   Assertion

   The range says nothing about the bulk of the data.

3. Reason

   Both are single numbers summarising a data set.

   Verdict

   The assertion is false and the reason is true.

   Assertion

   An average and a spread answer the same question.

Explanation