2. When we are dealing with nominal data, we typically prefer to use the mode as the preferred measure of center. Why are we unable to use the mean as the measure of center for nominal data?

Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Student Edition 2015
1st Edition
ISBN:9781680331141
Author:HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Publisher:HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Chapter11: Data Analysis And Displays
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3CT
icon
Related questions
Topic Video
Question

Number 2 

2. When we are dealing with nominal data, we typically prefer to use the mode as the preferred measure of center. Why are we
unable to use the mean as the measure of center for nominal data?
Transcribed Image Text:2. When we are dealing with nominal data, we typically prefer to use the mode as the preferred measure of center. Why are we unable to use the mean as the measure of center for nominal data?
Expert Solution
Step 1

Mode is the only measure of central tendency that is used when dealing with nominal data.

Nominal variable is a variable in which the data values are divided into categories. 

For example, if we want to categorise male and female respondents, we can use numbers 1 and 2 to represent them. That is, 1 for male and 2 for female. However, the values 1 and 2 in this case serve only as labels. They do not represent any meaningful order or carry any mathematical meaning.

Calculating mean of all 1's and 2's will not give us any mathematical meaning. Since, they are simply used as labels for male and female.

 

trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Discrete Probability Distributions
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, statistics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Stu…
Big Ideas Math A Bridge To Success Algebra 1: Stu…
Algebra
ISBN:
9781680331141
Author:
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Publisher:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Glencoe Algebra 1, Student Edition, 9780079039897…
Glencoe Algebra 1, Student Edition, 9780079039897…
Algebra
ISBN:
9780079039897
Author:
Carter
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Holt Mcdougal Larson Pre-algebra: Student Edition…
Holt Mcdougal Larson Pre-algebra: Student Edition…
Algebra
ISBN:
9780547587776
Author:
HOLT MCDOUGAL
Publisher:
HOLT MCDOUGAL
College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305652231
Author:
R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Algebra and Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Algebra and Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305071742
Author:
James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305115545
Author:
James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning