Question

the head of the math department compared the scores of students in two classes on the chapter 2 test. he found that the mean score of both classes was the same. he also found that there was greater variability in the scores of ms. biren’s students than in the scores of mr. hayes’s students. which quality of the data sets would lead the department head to that conclusion?

the median score in ms. biren’s class is greater than the median score in mr. hayes’s class.

the median score in ms. biren’s class is less than the median score in mr. hayes’s class.

the range of scores in ms. biren’s class is greater than the range of scores in mr. hayes’s class.

the range of scores in ms. biren’s class is less than the range of scores in mr. hayes’s class.

Explanation:

To determine the quality of the data sets leading to the conclusion about variability, we analyze each option:

• Median (options 1 and 2) measures central tendency, not variability. So these are irrelevant.
• Range (options 3 and 4) measures variability (difference between max and min values). Greater range means greater variability. Since Ms. Biren’s class has greater variability, its range should be greater than Mr. Hayes’s class. So option 3 is correct.

Answer:

C. The range of scores in Ms. Biren’s class is greater than the range of scores in Mr. Hayes’s class.