Coin Toss Exercise

1. Sort the data numerically and determine the total number of times each response (1-10) was

obtained. This can easily be accomplished using the count function in Excel.

2. Determine the mean and standard deviation of the two sets of data (class and means). Would

you expect the standard deviation of the mean data set to be less than the standard deviation of

the entire data set? Why? Is your expectation confirmed in the data?

3. Plot a histogram or bar graph for both the class and mean data.

4. Use the NORMDIST function in Excel to determine the theoretical area of the curve for each

of your data points.

5. Plot these values as an additional line graph on top of the histogram.

6. Determine the actual area under the curve by dividing the number of times a particular data

point was obtained by the total number of data points.

7. Plot this data as a second line graph on top of the histogram.

8. Add the class data to the compiled data in the spreadsheet and determine the actual area under

the curve for these data points.

9. Plot this as the third line on top of the histogram.

What conclusions can be made from this?