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Exercise

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  1. One evening, select a Canadian television channel and watch the news. Write down the subject of any news story that uses statistical information. Were any of the decisions reported in the stories based on statistics?

  2. Study three national newspapers with the same date. Count the number of articles on the front page of each newspaper. How many stories on each front page mention statistics? Calculate the ratio of articles that use statistics to those that do not. For each newspaper, calculate the percentage of stories on the front page that use statistics. Present the results in the form of a table.

  3. Imagine you are a politician who wants to lower the voting age of the population from 18 to 16. What statistical information might you use to support your case? Would you argue that the decision in favour of lowering the voting age should be based on the statistics alone? Why or why not?

  4. Other than statistics, what kinds of information would you need to make a decision about the following issues?
    • increasing taxation
    • reducing traffic congestion
    • quitting smoking
    • buying a computer
    • starting a new business.

  5. Which city outside Canada is your favourite? Use one item of statistical information to argue in favour of your choice.

  6. Can you think of situations where the same statistical information could be used to justify opposite decisions?

  7. Write a one-page essay describing three uses of statistical information in society. Give examples.

  8. Carefully study the world population figures in Table 1 and answer the questions below:
    • Which organizations might want these figures?
    • For what issues would these figures be relevant?
    • Based on these issues, what kinds of decisions would you make considering the information in the table below? Discuss in class.
    Table 1.  United Nations world population forecast
      1996 2050
      millions
    China 1,232 1,517
    India 945 1,533
    Pakistan 140 357
    Nigeria 115 338
    Indonesia 200 318
    Iran 70 170
    USA 269 347
    Ethiopia 58 213
    Brazil 161 243
    Bangladesh 120 218
    Kenya 28 66
    Brazil 93 154
    Russian Federation 148 114
    Philippines 69 130
    Uganda 20 66