Simulation studies are the basic tools of quantitative methodologists used to obtain empirical solutions to statistical problems that may be impossible to derive through direct mathematical computations. The successful execution of many simulation studies relies on the accurate generation of correlated multivariate data that adhere to a particular…

Learning about statistics is a lot like learning about science: the learning is more meaningful if you can actively explore. This tenth installment of "Explorations in Statistics" explores the analysis of a potential change in some physiological response. As researchers, we often express absolute change as percent change so we can…

The goal of this paper is to promote computational thinking among mathematics, engineering, science and technology students, through hands-on computer experiments. These activities have the potential to empower students to learn, create and invent with technology, and they engage computational thinking through simulations, visualizations and data…

This article advocates biased spinners as an engaging context for statistics students. Calculating the probability of a biased spinner landing on a particular side makes valuable connections between probability and other areas of mathematics. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)

The extreme interval values and statistics (expected value, median, mode, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation) for the smallest (min) and largest (max) values of exponentially distributed variables with parameter ? = 1 are examined for different observation (sample) sizes. An extreme interval value g[subscript a] is defined as a…

An investigative activity dealing with where to pitch a tent at a campsite is described. (MNS)

Least-squares line fitting is developed without calculus. Its rationale and an example with consumption patterns are provided. (MNS)

An approach to using the method of least squares, a scheme for computing the best-fitting line directly from a set of points, is detailed. The material first looks at fitting a numerical value to a set of numbers. This provides tools for solving the line-fitting problem. (MP)

Details are provided of a program on actuarial training developed at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton through the Department of Mathematical Sciences. An outline of its operation, including a few statistics on students in the program, is included. (MP)

Arguing that operations research is not as difficult and forbidding as its reputation implies, and that many problems lend themselves to analysis using common sense, the author provides examples which might be used in a secondary school classroom. (SD)

The problem of managing the reserve of cobalt is presented, followed by a method for bringing the stockpiled amount from any level to a desired goal. Solving a stochastic programming problem is involved. The procedure is discussed in detail. (MNS)

The social science finding that two-thirds of a population of successful males are first-born sons provided the motivation for a problem solved by a 12th grade honors class. The class proved that the probability of choosing a first-born son from a male population is about two-thirds. (JP)

A method of organizing data known as a stem-leaf plot is presented in detail. This method is viewed to overcome many of the disadvantages associated with the traditional methods of grouping in the frequency distribution table and provides a convenient introduction to data organization. (MP)

Data from interviews with pupils who attempted to solve problems involving the appropriate weighing and combining of individual means into an overall mean is reported. For many, dealing with the mean seems to be a computational rather than a conceptual act, with many subjects unable to correctly carry out the task. (MP)