Advice Needed

“Not backpacking related but want to get some views on this.

Situation: You have two sets of seperate data. Lets call one set 'total fuel use' and another set 'per capita total fuel use'

Question: What steps and/or in what order would you use to solve the following:

Find the names and per capita total fuel use rates for the people with the highest and lowest rates of total fuel use.



You input much appreciated!”

“What format is the data in, how many names are we talking about, are all names in both lists, and what tools do you have?
last edited: 10/20/04 7:55:06 PM”

“I think you are going to have to give more information than that. There is no way to derive an answer with the information provided.”

“Count the people in the area and ask each one how much fuel they use. Duh...”

“I don't need an answer.

I curious as to how you perceive the wording and therefore the order of problem solving. Like a logic problem.

Would you understand the questions as

A) Find the name of the highest total fuel use user (let's say State) and the name of the lowest total fuel use user (Sate); then find the per capita total fule use rates for those two States (highest total fuel use & lowest total fuel use)”

“Find the names and per capita total fuel use rates for the people with the highest and lowest rates of total fuel use.

Whew.. ;)

Let me reread it and see if I can add anything to what has been said.”

“damn, I can't spell tonight”

“Two (2) sets of separate data. Lets call one set 'total fuel use' and another set 'per capita total fuel use'

TFU TFU/c
=== =====

"Find the names and per capita total fuel use rates."

NAMES. Assumed given in left hand column or at least some corrolary linear relationship, even if it is parent to child.

PER CAPITA. Assumed formula calculation based on quantites given. (My eyes see four (4) columns.

TOTAL FUEL USE. Assumed since given as primary column of information, no need for additional computation. The word RATE could be up for debate.

Let me think some more.”

“Just siphon the gas from your neighbor’s car
:D”

“Four columns now.

(1) etc..
NAMES PER CAPITA TFU TFU/c
===== ========== === =====

Use quantities given in column (2) to create a TFU/c base, or remove the column (although I hate to remove the column if it is good information that will lend credibility to a statistical study).

Plot independent variables against dependents, and look for R-Squared.”

“Do standard linearity tests, and verify the distribution is normal.

Accept t-test results if conditions are met.

Hope that helps!
last edited: 10/20/04 8:46:01 PM”

“As originally stated, it's too ambiguous to give an answer.

If both lists were of individuals the the highest total user would be the highest per capita user. If the lists were of households (or any non-uniform groups, states will do), then there could be a difference between the two sets of data.”

“Need to know how many persons are in the 'per capita' set. That way you can set up a statistical analysis based on a normal probability distribution curve. Then you'll be able to determine what the high and low values are with an associated degree of confidence. Then again, I'm still assuming everyone is burning fuel at the same rate (or with the same backpacking stove?).”

“Find the names and per capita total fuel use rates for the States with the highest and lowest rates of total fuel use.

1. Find out names of States with highest and lowest rates of TOTAL FUEL USE

2. Find PER CAPITA TOTAL FUEL USE RATES for those two states identified in step 1 above

Am I insane for perceiving this as the order?”

“but you didn't tell us everything you knew! :)”

“SD and TD - I have no clue as to what the heck you guys are talking about. Me just monkey plugging in numbers...I drooled”

“My answer was STAT 101, but TDale brought up a point I had assumed.

Is it raw data, or aggregated?

pivot table or mainframe? (only a minor point.)

tdawg: "Need to know how many persons are in the 'per capita' set." My thoughts based on my request for additional column of information. I figured I could back-calculate it.
last edited: 10/20/04 8:55:22 PM”

“"SD and TD - I have no clue ..." .. hehe.. that is so funny to me.. but only cos it is ironic at the moment.”

“As others have said, need a better description of the data and IF the two sets are matched.”

“do your own home work..... or in my case, make a pledge do it”

“yeah, what Tea said!”

“Question: What steps and/or in what order would you use to solve the following:

Find the names and per capita total fuel use rates for the people with the highest and lowest rates of total fuel use.

1. Find Bar
2. Order Drinks
3. Find Girl
4. Order Drinks
5. Find home with girl
6. Make Drinks
7. Sleep with Girl
8. Wake up late
9. Get to work
10. Make up some crap
11. Turn it in”

“I thought my 'advice needed' thread the other day was more fun....”

“So did you "GET 'ER DONE?"”