Question 33 • Probability and Statistics with Applications Honors Sem-1-FL-1210300 (2024-2025)
A company that manufactures golf balls produces a new type of ball that is supposed to travel significantly farther than the company’s previous golf ball. To determine this, 40 new-style golf balls and 40 original-style golf balls are randomly selected from the company’s production line on a specific day. The balls are then placed in a bag and shaken. A golf pro then selects a ball and hits it using a driver. The distance the ball travels is then measured. The bag is shaken again, and the golf pro selects another ball and hits it with the same driver. He continues this procedure until all 80 of the golf balls are hit.
Answer
A
Repeating the experiment will allow the company to compare the distances traveled by the new type of golf ball from both experiments.
B
Having a large number of each type of golf ball will allow for a good comparison of the differences in distances traveled for the two types of balls.
C
Having a large number of each type of golf ball will not allow for a good comparison of the differences in distances traveled for the two types of balls.
D
Replication is not needed in this experiment. The golf pro hitting one ball of each type is enough to determine if the difference in distance is due to the type of ball.
Explanation
Each ball is an experimental unit, and the golf pro hits 40 balls of each type. Those repeated measurements provide a larger sample for each type, making it easier to compare their travel distances while reducing the influence of unusually long or short shots. Choice B is correct: having many balls of each type allows a better comparison. One ball of each type, as in choice D, would not provide enough information for a reliable comparison.
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