16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisHardEffect of removing an outlier on the mean

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

The data set 6, 8, 10, 12, 44 has one outlier, 44. If the outlier is removed, by how much does the mean of the data set decrease?

Answer: 7

The mean of all five is 80/5 = 16; without 44 it is 36/4 = 9; the decrease is 7.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 9
9 is the new mean.
If you answered 16
16 is the original mean.
If you answered 44
44 is the outlier itself.

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