Question

the mean test scores with standard deviations of four english classes are given below.

class	mean	standard deviation
mrs. rijo	82	1.4
mr. phan	73	3.4
mrs. scott	90	6.1

which statement is most likely to be true?

• the scores of mrs. scott’s class are the closest to the class mean.
• the scores of mr. phan’s class are the closest to the class mean.
• the scores of mrs. jones’s class are the closest to the class mean.
• the scores of mrs. rijo’s class are the closest to the class mean.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall standard deviation meaning

Standard deviation measures data spread around the mean. Smaller values mean data is closer to the mean.

Step2: Compare standard deviations

• Mrs. Jones: \(1.9\)
• Mrs. Rijo: \(1.4\)
• Mr. Phan: \(3.4\)
• Mrs. Scott: \(6.1\)

Step3: Identify the smallest

Among \(1.9\), \(1.4\), \(3.4\), \(6.1\), \(1.4\) (Mrs. Rijo's class) is the smallest. So her class scores are closest to the mean.

Answer:

The scores of Mrs. Rijo’s class are the closest to the class mean. (Option: The scores of Mrs. Rijo’s class are the closest to the class mean.)