Math 141 - Introductory Statistics - Reading Assignments
February 2000

You will probably want to print this page out and keep it in your text, but be sure to check back every so often, because this may change during the semester.
(Last modified: Tuesday, February 1, 2000, 8:26 AM )

All numbers indicate sections from The Basic Practice of Statistics, Second Edition.

For Wednesday February 2 / Thursday February 3

Section 1.1 Displaying Distributions with Graphs

To read : Course Policies
Notes on Reading Assignments
Section "Understanding Data" on pg 1
Introduction to Chapter 1
All of Section 1.1

Be sure to understand :
The defiintions of Data Analysis, Data Production, and Statistical Inference
The distinction between catagorical and quantitative variables
Examples 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/2 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/3 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 1.8 and 1.9

For Monday February 7 / Tuesday February 8

Section 1.2 Describing Distributions with Numbers

To read : All of Section 1.2

Be sure to understand :
The definitions of mean, median, quartile, and standard deviation
Examples 1.7, 1.8 and 1.10

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/7 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/8 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 1.28bc and 1.34ab

For Wednesday February 9 / Thursday February 10

Section 1.3 The Normal Distribution

To read : Section 1.3 through page 55

Be sure to understand :
The defintion of a density curve and the mean and median of a density curve
The defintion of a normal distribution and the 68-95-99.7 rule
Examples 1.11, 1.12

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/9 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/10 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 1.51 and 1.52

For Monday February 14 / Tuesday February 15

Section 1.3 The Normal Distribution

To read : Finish the section for today

Be sure to understand :
The defintion of standard normal distributions, z-score
Examples 1.14, 1.15, 1.16 and 1.17

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/14 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/15 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 1.56 and 1.58

For Wednesday February 16 / Thursday February 17

Section 2.1 Scatterplots and Section 2.2 Correlation

To read : The Introduction to Chapter 2 and all of Sections 2.1 and 2.2

Be sure to understand :
How scatterplots are formed
The distinction between positive and negative association
Examples 2.4 and 2.5
The section "Facts about correlation"

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/16 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/17 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 2.2 and 2.17b

For Monday February 21 / Tuesday February 22

Section 2.3 Least-Squares Regression

To read : All of Section 2.3

Be sure to understand :
What the least-squares regression line represents
The distinction between explanatory and response variables
The defintion of residuals, outliers and influential observations
The section "Facts about least-squares regression"
Example 2.9

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/21 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/22 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 2.18 and 2.31

For Wednesday February 23 / Thursday February 24

Exam 1 today. No Reading Assignment.

For Monday February 28 / Tuesday February 29

Section 2.4 Cautions about Correlation and Regression

To read : All of Section 2.4

Be sure to understand :
The concept of lurking variables and concept that association does not imply causation
Examples 2.15, 2.16, and 2.18

Email Subject Line : Math 141-03 2/28 Your Name
or
Math 141-02 2/29 Your Name

Reading Questions : Apply Your Knowledge 2.54 and 2.58

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Last modified: Tuesday, February 1, 2000, 8:26 AM