Interpreting Mean Absolute Deviation In Real-World Contexts Quiz

1) A scientist measures the growth of plants using two different fertilizers. Fertilizer X results in a MAD of 1.2 cm, while Fertilizer Y results in a MAD of 3.8 cm. What does this indicate?

Fertilizer X produces more consistent growth

Fertilizer Y produces more consistent growth

Both fertilizers are equally effective

Fertilizer Y produces taller plants

Fertilizer X has a much lower MAD, meaning plant growth is more steady and predictable.

So X gives more consistent growth.

Explanation

Fertilizer X has a much lower MAD, meaning plant growth is more steady and predictable.

So X gives more consistent growth.

2) Two students practice free throws. Student A has a MAD of 2 baskets made per session, and Student B has a MAD of 6 baskets made per session. Which student's performance is more predictable?

Student A

Student B

Both are equally predictable

The student with the higher mean

A smaller MAD means fewer ups and downs.

Student A (MAD = 2) is more predictable than Student B (MAD = 6).

Explanation

A smaller MAD means fewer ups and downs.

Student A (MAD = 2) is more predictable than Student B (MAD = 6).

3) A delivery service tracks package delivery times. If the MAD is 30 minutes, what does this tell customers?

All packages arrive at exactly the same time

The mean delivery time is 30 minutes

Delivery times vary by about 30 minutes on average from the mean

The service is unreliable

MAD = 30 minutes means delivery times usually fall within about 30 minutes of the average.

So times vary by about half an hour.

Explanation

MAD = 30 minutes means delivery times usually fall within about 30 minutes of the average.

So times vary by about half an hour.

4) A quality control inspector finds that Product Line 1 has a MAD of 0.02 inches in measurements, while Product Line 2 has a MAD of 0.15 inches. If consistency is the most important factor, which product line should be recommended?

Product Line 2

Product Line 1

Both are equally acceptable

The one with the larger mean measurement

Product Line 1’s tiny MAD (0.02 inches) means its products are nearly identical in size.

So it is the more consistent and reliable option.

Explanation

Product Line 1’s tiny MAD (0.02 inches) means its products are nearly identical in size.

So it is the more consistent and reliable option.

5) What is the mean (average) number of points scored by Player A?

13

14

15

16

Add all of Player A’s scores (12+15+14+13+16+14+15+13 = 112), then divide by 8 games.

112 ÷ 8 = 14, so the average number of points scored is 14.

Explanation

Add all of Player A’s scores (12+15+14+13+16+14+15+13 = 112), then divide by 8 games.

112 ÷ 8 = 14, so the average number of points scored is 14.

6) What is the MAD (Mean Absolute Deviation) for Player A's scores?

0.5

1

1.5

2

Player A’s scores stay very close to the mean of 14. Most scores are only 1 point away.

When you average these small deviations, you get a MAD of about 1, showing low variation.

Explanation

Player A’s scores stay very close to the mean of 14. Most scores are only 1 point away.

When you average these small deviations, you get a MAD of about 1, showing low variation.

7) The MAD for Player B's scores is 4.5. Which player is more consistent in their scoring?

Player A, because their MAD is lower

Player B, because their MAD is higher

Player A, because their mean is higher

Both players are equally consistent

Consistency means the scores don’t change much.

Player A’s MAD is smaller than Player B’s (1 vs. 4.5), so their scoring is much more steady.

Explanation

Consistency means the scores don’t change much.

Player A’s MAD is smaller than Player B’s (1 vs. 4.5), so their scoring is much more steady.

8) What does the MAD tell us about Player B's performance?

Player B always scores more points than Player A

Player B is more reliable than Player A

Player B's mean score is lower than Player A's

Player B's scores vary more from game to game

A MAD of 4.5 means Player B’s points jump up and down by about 4–5 points from game to game.

This shows high variation in scoring.

Explanation

A MAD of 4.5 means Player B’s points jump up and down by about 4–5 points from game to game.

This shows high variation in scoring.

9) What is the mean number of books read in Class 1?

5

5.5

6

6.5

The numbers cluster around 5–7, and the total divided by 8 gives an average of 6 books.

Explanation

The numbers cluster around 5–7, and the total divided by 8 gives an average of 6 books.

10) The MAD for Class 1 is 0.75. What does this indicate about the students' reading habits?

Students read very different amounts

The mean is not accurate

Students read similar amounts

Students did not enjoy reading

A MAD less than 1 means almost all students read close to the same number of books.

So Class 1 has very consistent reading habits.

Explanation

A MAD less than 1 means almost all students read close to the same number of books.

So Class 1 has very consistent reading habits.

11) The MAD for Class 2 is 2.5. How does the variability in Class 2 compare to Class 1?

Class 2 has less variability

Class 2 has more variability

Both classes have the same variability

Class 2's mean is higher

Class 2’s MAD is 2.5 — much larger than Class 1’s 0.75.

This shows that Class 2 students read very different amounts, so their data is much more spread out.

Explanation

Class 2’s MAD is 2.5 — much larger than Class 1’s 0.75.

This shows that Class 2 students read very different amounts, so their data is much more spread out.

12) If a teacher wants students to read a consistent number of books each month, which class is closer to meeting that goal?

Class 1, because the MAD is lower

Class 2, because the MAD is higher

Both classes are equally consistent

Neither class is consistent

A lower MAD = more consistency.

Class 1’s smaller MAD makes them closer to the teacher’s goal of steady, predictable reading.

Explanation

A lower MAD = more consistency.

Class 1’s smaller MAD makes them closer to the teacher’s goal of steady, predictable reading.

13) A factory produces light bulbs. Factory X has a MAD of 50 hours for bulb lifespan, while Factory Y has a MAD of 15 hours. What does this tell you?

Factory Y produces bulbs with more consistent lifespans

Factory X produces bulbs that last longer

Factory X is more reliable

The mean lifespan is the same for both factories

Factory Y’s smaller MAD (15 hours) means the bulbs last more consistently, even if the average lifespan isn’t shown.

Explanation

Factory Y’s smaller MAD (15 hours) means the bulbs last more consistently, even if the average lifespan isn’t shown.

14) Two weather stations recorded daily temperatures. Station A has a MAD of 3°F and Station B has a MAD of 8°F. Which statement is true?

Station B has more stable temperatures

Both stations have equally variable temperatures

Station A has more stable temperatures

Station B's mean temperature is higher

Station A’s MAD of 3°F shows temperatures stay close to the average.

Station B’s 8°F MAD shows large changes.

So Station A has more stable temperatures.

Explanation

Station A’s MAD of 3°F shows temperatures stay close to the average.

Station B’s 8°F MAD shows large changes.

So Station A has more stable temperatures.

15) What is the mean sprint time for Runner 1?

11.2

11.3

11.4

11.5

The sprint times are all close together, and averaging them gives 11.4 seconds.

Explanation

The sprint times are all close together, and averaging them gives 11.4 seconds.

16) The MAD for Runner 1 is approximately 0.10 seconds. What does this suggest?

Runner 1's times vary greatly

Runner 1's times are very consistent

Runner 1 is slower than Runner 2

The mean is not useful

A MAD this small means each run is almost the same time.

Runner 1 is extremely consistent.

Explanation

A MAD this small means each run is almost the same time.

Runner 1 is extremely consistent.

17) The MAD for Runner 2 is approximately 0.65 seconds. If the coach wants to select the most reliable runner for a competition, who should they choose?

Runner 1, because they have a lower MAD

Runner 2, because they have a higher MAD

Both runners are equally reliable

Runner 2, because they have a lower mean

Runner 2’s MAD (0.65) is much larger than Runner 1’s (0.10), meaning Runner 2 varies a lot.

Runner 1 is more reliable for competition.

Explanation

Runner 2’s MAD (0.65) is much larger than Runner 1’s (0.10), meaning Runner 2 varies a lot.

Runner 1 is more reliable for competition.

18) A company tracks customer wait times at two locations. Location A has a MAD of 2 minutes and Location B has a MAD of 7 minutes. Which location provides a more predictable customer experience?

Location B

Location A

Both are equally predictable

Cannot be determined without the mean

A smaller MAD means wait times change less.

Location A’s MAD of 2 minutes shows more predictable service.

Explanation

A smaller MAD means wait times change less.

Location A’s MAD of 2 minutes shows more predictable service.

19) A student's test scores have a MAD of 5 points, while another student's scores have a MAD of 12 points. What can you conclude?

The first student's scores are more consistent

The second student scores higher on average

Both students perform equally well

The second student is more reliable

The student with MAD = 5 has scores closer to the mean.

The student with MAD = 12 has much more variation.

So the first student is more consistent

Explanation

The student with MAD = 5 has scores closer to the mean.

The student with MAD = 12 has much more variation.

So the first student is more consistent

20) Two machines fill bottles with juice. Machine A has a MAD of 0.5 ounces and Machine B has a MAD of 2 ounces. Which machine is more precise?

Machine B

The one with the higher mean

Both are equally precise

Machine A

A smaller MAD means bottle fill amounts are almost the same each time.

Machine A (MAD = 0.5 oz) is more precise.

Explanation

A smaller MAD means bottle fill amounts are almost the same each time.

Machine A (MAD = 0.5 oz) is more precise.

Interpreting Mean Absolute Deviation in Real-World Contexts Quiz