Measures Help

How Do I Use This Activity?

This activity allows the user to input various types of data and to request the following statistics for the data:
total
variance
mean
median
mode
range
variation

This Java applet requires a Java-capable browser. If you don't see the applet Java may not be functional in your browser or on your machine.

Controls and Output

  • On the first screen you must begin by entering information about the data that has been collected.
    • In the first entry blank, enter the name of the species (or object) that you observed. You may have studied plants, cats, classmates, or school desks. Please enter this name in the singular form: plant, cat, desk, etc.
    • You will then be required to enter the characteristic of the specimens that you measured. This is the aspect of the species that you observed such as height, sleep, age, or weight.
    • In the last entry blank, you must supply the units of measurement that were used, such as feet, inches, hours, years, months, pounds, or kilograms.
    After you have entered your information in the three spaces, click the Proceed button to continue.

  • On the second screen:
    • You will be asked to set the number of specimens that you observed. You may include 1-20 objects. If you choose more than 10 objects, the scrollbars on the next screen will disappear. If you choose more than 20 objects, the total will automatically change to 20 objects.

    • You must also enter a range of values within which your measurements fall. This range should be in terms of the units that you entered on the first screen.

    • Before leaving this page you may choose the statistical information that you would like the program to calculate for you. You may choose more than one by clicking on the box to the left of each option. You must choose at least one option to proceed.

      Please note that a checkmark may not appear in the box on your screen as shown here, but you should be able to observe which options have been chosen.

    To proceed to the next screen, click the Proceed button at the bottom of the screen.

  • On the third screen you can enter the measurement for each specimen that you observed using the scroll bars or the input fields. Note that you can only use values within the range that you specified previously. If you have more than 10 objects and the scroll bars are not visible, simply tab between the input fields to enter your information.

  • Below the adjustment area you may observe the statistical information you requested. Notice the calculations change as you adjust your data.

  • To start over or enter a new data set, click on the Get New Outputs button at the bottom of this screen.



    Please direct questions and comments about this project to Interactivate@shodor.org
    © Copyright 1997-2002 The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.