Mathematics

When we have quantitative data, one thing we often want to know is where the center is, and, for that, we can look at the mean, median, mode, trimmed mean, and other measures. But we also want to know how…
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To understand what a prime number is, it is first necessary to revisit the idea of a ‘factor’. Take the number ‘6’, for example: since 6 can be divided by the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 6, these numbers are…
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The arithmetic mean (aka mean or average), the median, and the mode In this introductory statistics article, we will explore the mean, formally known as the arithmetic mean (average) and how it’s used and abused, and compare it to the…
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Over the past decade, graphing calculators have become an invaluable tool in education and technology. Calculations that took hours in the past now take seconds. Children who struggle with math now have a fighting chance. Intensive investigation of graphing calculators…
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This is a secret used by the engineering community. After all, accuracy is vital to good engineering. Thus all engineers check and double check their calculations. In these days of calculators, it is especially necessary to check answers. It is…
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Independent and Dependent Variables in Statistics Independent and/or dependent variables occur in almost any situation in which statistics is used.It is important that any professional, whose field requires the use of statistics, understands the difference between independent and dependent statistical…
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It has been said that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. The quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, but in fact he was quoting British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. “Figures often beguile me,” wrote…
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Fractions are a significant source of trouble for students of all ages. The concepts involved seem foreign, and consequently, are never solidified in youngsters minds. This is why it’s important to get children to understand fractions at an early age….
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A Big, Fat Zero. The prodigious power of nothing. A paradox that probably doesn’t really occur to people until someone with the warped, twisted mind of, say, ex-Monty Pythoner Terry Jones points it out. Interviewed by the B.B.C. for his…
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The mode, median and mean averages are three types of average that can be used for various numerical ranges. To look at each separately: Mode The mode is actually the most straightforward of these averages. It is the most common…
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