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 $2 \times 4$ pieces of lumber in pounds per square inch are in the file 2-58.TXT. We give the basic commands that calculate $n, \bar{x}$, and $s$ as well as the quartiles.

The session commands require the data to be set in the first column, $\mathrm{C} 1$, of the MINITAB work sheet. The command for creating a boxplot is also included.

Use MINITAB, or some other statistical package, to find $\bar{x}$ and $s$ for

(a) the decay times on page 156

(b) the interrequest times on page 29

Data in 2-58.TXT strength Dialog box: Stat Basic Statistics > Descriptive Statistics Type strength in Variables. Click OK.