2.58 Modern computer software programs have come a long way toward removing the tedium of calculating statistics. MINITAB is one common and easy-to-use program. We illustrate the use of the computer using MINITAB commands. Other easy-to-use programs have a quite similar command structure. The lumber used in the construction of buildings must be monitored for strength. Data for the strength of 2 × 4 pieces of lumber in pounds per square inch are in the file 2-58.TXT. We give the basic commands that calculate n, x, and s as well as the quartiles. The session commands require the data to be set in the first column, C1, of the MINITAB work sheet. The command for creating a boxplot is also included.

Use MINITAB, or some other statistical package, to find x and s for

(a) the decay times on page 156

(b) the interrequest times on page 29