Nathan Brod
Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics
Introduction
In this activity you will describe a set of numbers and then make accurate inferences
about your group of data based on incomplete information.
Equipment



Package of colored candy
Excel® software
Graduated cylinder
Procedure
1. Predict how many individual candy pieces are in your bag.
______24______
2. Open the candy bag.
3. Sort the candy into categories based upon color.
4. Tabulate and record the amount of candy per color category below.
Yellow
2
Red
4
Blue
3
Brown
3
Green
3
Orange
1
Total
16
5. What was the difference in the total number you predicted versus the actual
number? 8
6. Fill a graduated cylinder with water to a predetermined amount.
7. Place two individual candy pieces in the graduated cylinder.
8. Measure the displacement in the graduated cylinder.
Displacement = _______4ml_____ / 2 = _____2ml______ volume of one piece
of candy
9. Calculate the volume of each candy color category and the package total
volume.
Candy
Quantity
Volume
Yellow
2
4ml
Red
4
8ml
Blue
3
6ml
Brown
3
6ml
Green
3
6ml
Orange
1
2ml
Total
16
32ml
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 1
Nathan Brod
10. Open an Excel® program and create the spreadsheet shown below. The Trial
Number will correspond to the number of trials (student groups) within your class.
11. Enter your candy categorical data into the Trial Number 1 data column.
12. Obtain data from other groups and record the data in additional trial number
columns.
13. Calculate the mean value for each color category within the experiment.
a. Select the cell that corresponds with the category Yellow Mean.
b. Select Insert.
c. Select Function.
d. Select Average from the Insert Function dialog box.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 2
Nathan Brod
e. Select OK.
f. Select the cells that contain the Yellow category data.
g. Select OK.
h. Select the bottom right corner of cell Yellow, Mean and drag to cell
Orange, Mean.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 3
Nathan Brod
i.
The mean should now be calculated for all color categories.
14. Calculate the median, mode, and standard deviation for all color categories.
Follow procedure steps 13a – 13i. Modify step 13d to select the required
function.
15. Calculate the package total using the SUM function.
16. Calculate the package volume by multiplying package total by the volume of one
candy.
17. Create a ± 3ϭ histogram for each candy color.
a. Create a frequency distribution table for each candy color as illustrated
below.
ϭ = 1.155
3Ϭ
Mean + (3 ϭ )
9.7983
Frequency (how often the value
occurs within the data array)
72
2Ϭ
Mean + (2 ϭ )
8.6433
57
1Ϭ
Mean + (1 ϭ )
Mean 27
7.4883
42
12
Yellow Candy
Bin
-1 Ϭ
Mean - (1 ϭ )
6.3333
5.1783
-2 Ϭ
Mean - (2 ϭ )
4.0233
-3
-3 Ϭ
Mean - (3 ϭ )
2.8683
- 18
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 4
Nathan Brod
b. Create a histogram for each candy color using your bin and frequency
data.
Conclusion
1. Which color is most likely to occur with the same frequency in each bag? Explain
your answer.
2. Do your histograms fit a classic bell curve? Why or why not?
3. Use the information that you developed in the lab, combine it with any additional
information that you think you might need, and calculate the number of candies it
would take to fill your classroom. Explain your answer mathematically.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 5
Nathan Brod
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
POE Activity 4.1.2 Candy Statistics – Page 6