Question

The following times were recorded by the quarter-mile and mile runners of a university track team (times are in minutes). Quarter-Mile Times: 0.95 0.96 1.01 0.92 1.02 Mile Times: 4.52 4.36 4.60 4.70 4.51 After viewing this sample of running times, one of the coaches commented that the quarter milers turned in the more consistent times.

Quarter milers Standard deviation (to 4 decimals) ( ) Coefficient of variation (to 1 decimal), ( )

Milers Standard deviation (to 4 decimals) ( ) Coefficient of variation (to 1 decimal), ( )

Does the use of the coefficient of variation indicate that the coach’s statement should be qualified? (i) Yes, the coefficient shows that as a percentage of the mean, the quarter milers' times show more variability. (ii) No, the coefficient doesn't show that as a percentage of the mean the quarter milers' times show more variability. Choose the correct answer.

Answer 1

from above:

Quarter milers Standard deviation =0.0421

Quarter milers  Coefficient of variation =4.3 %

Milers Standard deviation =0.1254

Coefficient of variation =2.8 %

ii) No, the coefficient doesn't show that as a percentage of the mean the quarter milers' times show more variability.