Question

a mini - golf course is determining the par score for each of its holes. the dot plot shows the number of strokes required to place a ball in the ninth hole for a sample of 31 players. which measure of center is best to use to determine the expected number of strokes required for the ninth hole? the mean is the best choice because the data is nearly symmetrical. the median is the best choice because data is clustered. the mean is the best choice because the data is skewed to the right. the median is the best choice because the data is skewed to the left.

Explanation:

The mean is the average value of a data set and is sensitive to extreme values. When the data is nearly symmetrical, the mean gives a good representation of the central tendency. In a nearly symmetrical distribution, the mean, median, and mode are approximately equal.
The median is the middle - value of a data set. It is less affected by extreme values. But in this case, since the data is nearly symmetrical (not skewed), the mean is a better measure.
If the data were skewed (either to the left or right), the median would be a better choice as it is not pulled by the extreme values. But the dot - plot shows a distribution that is nearly symmetrical.

Answer:

The mean is the best choice because the data is nearly symmetrical.