Suppose you were to generate several random samples, all the same size, all from the same normal probability distribution. Will they all be the same? How will they differ? By how much will they differ?

a. Use a computer or calculator to generate 10 different samples, all of size 100, all from the normal probability distribution of mean 200 and standard deviation 25.

b. Draw histograms of all 10 samples using the same class boundaries.

c. Calculate several descriptive statistics for all 10 samples, separately.

d. Comment on the similarities and the differences you see.

MINITAB (Release 14)

a. Use the generate RANDOM DATA commands on page 327, replacing n with 100, store in with C1–C10, mean with 200, and standard deviation with 25.

b. Use the HISTOGRAM commands on page 61 for the data in C1–C10. To adjust histogram, select Binning with cutpoint and cutpoint positions 36:148/8.

c. Use the DISPLAY DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS command on page 98 for the data in C1–C10.

Excel

a. Use the Normal RANDOM NUMBER GENERATION commands on page 328, replacing number of variables with 10, number of random numbers with 100, mean with 200, and standard deviation with 25.

b. Use the RANDOM NUMBER GENERATION Patterned Distribution commands in Exercise 6.66, replacing the first value with 100, the last value with 300, the steps with 25, and the output range with K1. Use the HISTOGRAM commands on page 61 for each of the columns A through J (input range) with column K as the bin range.

c. Use the DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS commands on page 98 for the data in columns A through J.

TI-83/84 Plus

a. Use the 6:randNorm commands on page 328, replacing the mean with 200, the standard deviation with 25, and the number of trials with 100. Repeat six times, using L1–L6 for storage.

b. Use the HISTOGRAM commands on page 62 for the data in L1–L6, entering WINDOW values 100, 300, 25, 10, 60, 10, and 1. Adjust with ZoomStat.

c. Use the 1-Var Stats command on page 98 for the data in L1–L6.