Number of Businesses. Use the following data for Exercises 117–120. The data represent the number of business establishments in a sample of states.

State Businesses
(1000s)		 State Businesses
(1000s)
Alabama 3.8 Michigan 7.5
Arizona 7.9 Minnesota 6.1
Colorado 8.9 Missouri 5.9
Connecticut 3.1 Ohio 9.5
Georgia 10.3 Oklahoma 3.8
Illinois 11.9 Oregon 5.4
Indiana 5.6 South Carolina 4.6
Iowa 2.7 Tennessee 5.4
Maryland 5.7 Virginia 8.6
Massachusetts 6.3 Washington 9.3
Table 2.79: Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Question 2.256

statebusinesses

119. Compare and contrast the relative usefulness of each of four graphical presentation methods—dotplot, histogram, stem-and-leaf display, and frequency polygon—if our primary objective is to

  1. assess symmetry and skewness.
  2. be able to construct it quickly using paper and pencil.
  3. retain complete knowledge of the data set.
  4. give a presentation to people who have never taken a stats course.

2.2.119

Dotplot Histogram Stem-and-leaf Frequency polygon
(a) Symmetry and skewness Appropriate to use for small ranges of data Appropriate to use Appropriate to use for small ranges of data Appropriate to use
(b) Construct using pencil and paper Easily done for small ranges of data Easily done for small ranges of data Easily done for small ranges of data Easily done for small ranges of data
(c) Retain complete knowledge of the data Appropriate Appropriate only if the data are ungrouped Appropriate Appropriate only if the data are ungrouped
(d) Presentation in front of non-statisticians Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate