Math Assignment

Q1 i)
It is predicted that reaction time for small squares will be longer than that of the
reaction time to the larger squares. This is due to the fact that it would take longer for
the eye to focus on the smaller squares.

ii)
It is predicted that the smaller squares will show a greater variation of results. This is
due to the fact that it will take a longer period of time for the eye to focus. As well as
this, the eye, on some tests, may react quicker or slower than on other tests.
iii)
Small Square Large Square
Mean 779.53 624.228
Min 336.9 416.49
Q1 709.3 588.215
Median 764.95 620.15
Q3 917.08 686.8
Max 1172.4 784.36
SD 183.09 94.96
Range 835.5 367.87
IQR 207.78 101.58

iv) The results seen above show that the predictions made in Q1 i) and ii) were accurate.
This is exemplified through the data collected above in which the mean time for the
small squares is 779.53 while the large squares is 624.228, illustrating that the larger
squares were, on average, quicker to click on. As well as this, the quickest time for the
small squares was 336.9 and the maximum time was 1172.4 showing that there was a
much greater spread in comparison to larger squares. Another example of this is in the
standard deviation where the SD for the small squares was 183.09 while the large
squares was 94.96.
Q2. In the histogram for large squares, the outlier is very obvious as it sits at quite a
distance from the other data on the table. In the small square histogram however, it is
harder to identify where the outlier is. However, upon looking at the box and whisker
plot it can be seen that the furthest measurement to the right is the outlier.
Q3.
I) One obvious outlier from the Question 3 data was a minimum of 0.10
milliseconds. This may have occurred due to the participant paying strict
attention to this particular attempt of the test or there may have been fewer
outside distractions.
Another outlier at the opposite end was a maximum of 4.33 milliseconds. This
may have occurred due to the participant not paying attention or not being
prepared for the attempt.
ii)
All Data Obvious outliers Outliers >2
removed removed
Median 0.385 0.385 0.37
Mean 0.6554 0.5904 0.3763
Max 4.33 2.47 0.58
Min 0.1 0.2 0.1
LQ 0.32 0.325 0.305
UQ 0.51 0.505 0.45
Range 4.23 2.27 0.48
IQR 0.19 0.18 0.145
ST Dev 0.8034 0.6167 0.106

iii)
iv) The most appropriate data for the reaction time would be the group with outliers>2s
removed. This is because it removes the anomalies which are way out and may be
making the mean and median less accurate.

Q4.
Right hand outliers>2s Left Hand outliers>2s
removed removed
Median 0.37 0.36
Mean 0.3763 0.34
Max 0.58 0.55
Min 0.1 0.08
LQ 0.305 0.295
UQ 0.45 0.405
Range 0.48 0.47
IQR 0.145 0.11
ST Devp 0.106 0.104

From observing the data above, it can be seen that the participant was left handed. This
can be seen throughout the results. The obvious example to show the participant is left
handed is the mean. It is observed that the left hand mean is 0.34 while the right hand
mean is 0.3763. While this may also give evidence to the participant’s being
ambidextrous, this theory is proven false through the results of the measures of central
tendency and measures of spread.
The measurements for the median in the left hand was 0.36 while in the right hand it
was 0.37. AS well as this the min and max were both lower in the left hand with a min of
0.08 and a max of 0.55 in the left while a min of 0.1 and a max of 0.58 in the right. This
also means there is a larger range of 0.48 in the right hand while there is a range of only
0.47 in the left. Before considering all these statistics however, the treatment of the
outliers must be considered. In the left hand statistics, there was a total of 6 outliers
removed with times of 2.47, 2.40, 14.35, 2.37, 2.17 and 2.57. In the outliers for the left
hand statistics, there is a very obvious and distanced outlier of 14.35 seconds. If these
statistics had been left in, the data would be much more spread.
In the right hand there was a total of 6 outliers removed again which were 2.40, 2.38,
4.33, 2.44, 2.47 and 2.19. While there are less extremes with the right hand outliers, the
inclusion of these statistics would still skew the data to a point of being less accurate.
Even with the inclusion of these statistics however, the data would still show the result
(baring the range and max), would show that the participant is left handed still.

Bibliography

The Curriculum Council of Western Australia 2009, Mathematics Course

Chance and data resources Part 5: Concepts and processes

Kosinski, Robert J. A Literature Review on Reaction Time, 2008,Clemson University

http://biae.clemson.edu/bpc/bp/Lab/110/reaction.htm

Lane, David Rice Virtual Lab in Statistics , Rice University,

http://onlinestatbook.com/stat_sim/compare_dist/index.html