Data were collected from a typing class with 45 students. The class had an average of 56 words per minute (WPM) with a standard deviation of 7 WPM. The teacher realized that the data from one student who typed 55 WPM was not entered. If this student’s results were included in the data set, what effect would it have on the standard deviation?

The missing score, 55 WPM, is only 1 WPM below the class average of 56, so it is much closer to the center than a typical score is. Adding a score so close to the average slightly reduces the overall spread, but one score among 46 students will not change it much. The standard deviation would be about the same, perhaps a little smaller.

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