The mean test scores with standard deviations of four English classes are given below.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
Class & Mean & Standard Deviation \\
\hline
Mrs. Jones & 89 & 1.9 \\
\hline
Mrs. Rijo & 82 & 1.4 \\
\hline
Mr. Phan & 73 & 3.4 \\
\hline
Mrs. Scott & 90 & 6.1 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Which statement is most likely to be true?

A. The scores of Mrs. Scott's class are the closest to the class mean.
B. The scores of Mr. Phan's class are the closest to the class mean.
C. The scores of Mrs. Jones's class are the closest to the class mean.
D. The scores of Mrs. Rijo's class are the closest to the class mean.



Answer :

To determine which class's scores are the closest to the class mean, we need to compare the standard deviations of the test scores in each class. The class with the smallest standard deviation has scores that are the closest to the mean because standard deviation measures the amount of variation or dispersion of a set of values.

Here is the data provided for the four classes:
- Mrs. Jones's class: Mean = 89, Standard Deviation = 1.9
- Mrs. Rijo's class: Mean = 82, Standard Deviation = 1.4
- Mr. Phan's class: Mean = 73, Standard Deviation = 3.4
- Mrs. Scott's class: Mean = 90, Standard Deviation = 6.1

We need to find the smallest standard deviation among the four given classes:
- Mrs. Jones's standard deviation: 1.9
- Mrs. Rijo's standard deviation: 1.4
- Mr. Phan's standard deviation: 3.4
- Mrs. Scott's standard deviation: 6.1

By comparing these values:
- 1.4 (Mrs. Rijo's class) is the smallest standard deviation.

Therefore, the scores of Mrs. Rijo's class are the closest to the class mean.

Thus, the correct statement is:
- The scores of Mrs. Rijo's class are the closest to the class mean.