ABSTRACT
Suppose that you won the grand prize in a local radio contest, an all-expenses-paid five-day cruise for two people. Because of your hectic schedule, there are only two possible weeks when you can take the cruise. Knowing that cruise companies occasionally have themed cruises, you call to find out if there is any difference between the two cruises. The only information that the cruise company will provide is that the average age of cruise-goers on the first cruise is 20 years, while the average age on the second cruise is 40 years.
Which cruise would you choose? Why?
For the cruise you have selected (with mean age of 20 or 40), create a data set of ten ages that would support your decision and would be a cruise you would happily take.
Create another data set of ten ages, with the same mean age, that would horrify you when you boarded the boat.
Does knowing the mean age of cruise-goers help you to make an informed decision? Why or why not?
(This activity was adapted from a worksheet prepared by the Vermont Mathematics Partnership.)