Two students performed the same experiment, testing how far iodine will diffuse through starchy tissue, such as potatoes. They cut 5 potato squares each, all of equal sizes, and placed them into small cups with iodine solution for 15 minutes. Then they measured how far from the edge of the potato the iodine diffused into the potatoes, in millimeters.

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c}
& \text{Distance Diffused (mm)} & & & & \\
\hline
\text{Student 1} & 3.25 & 3.17 & 3.26 & 3.64 & 3.44 \\
\text{Student 2} & 3.14 & 3.43 & 3.22 & 3.37 & 3.28 \\
\end{array}
\][/tex]

Whose results are more reliable, and why?

A. Student 2, because they have a narrower range.
B. Student 1, because they have a narrower range.
C. Student 1, because they have a wider range.



Answer :

To determine whose results are more reliable, we need to calculate the range of the distances diffused for both students. The range is the difference between the maximum and minimum values in the data set. A narrower range indicates more consistent results.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Identify the data for each student:
- Student 1: 3.25 mm, 3.17 mm, 3.26 mm, 3.64 mm, 3.44 mm
- Student 2: 3.14 mm, 3.43 mm, 3.22 mm, 3.37 mm, 3.28 mm

2. Calculate the range for Student 1:
- Find the maximum value for Student 1: [tex]\( \max(3.25, 3.17, 3.26, 3.64, 3.44) = 3.64 \)[/tex]
- Find the minimum value for Student 1: [tex]\( \min(3.25, 3.17, 3.26, 3.64, 3.44) = 3.17 \)[/tex]
- Calculate the range: [tex]\( \text{Range}_{\text{Student 1}} = 3.64 - 3.17 = 0.470 \)[/tex]

3. Calculate the range for Student 2:
- Find the maximum value for Student 2: [tex]\( \max(3.14, 3.43, 3.22, 3.37, 3.28) = 3.43 \)[/tex]
- Find the minimum value for Student 2: [tex]\( \min(3.14, 3.43, 3.22, 3.37, 3.28) = 3.14 \)[/tex]
- Calculate the range: [tex]\( \text{Range}_{\text{Student 2}} = 3.43 - 3.14 = 0.290 \)[/tex]

4. Compare the ranges:
- Student 1's range: 0.470 mm
- Student 2's range: 0.290 mm

5. Determine which range is narrower:
- Student 2 has a narrower range of 0.290 mm compared to Student 1's range of 0.470 mm.

### Conclusion:
Since a narrower range indicates more consistent results, Student 2's results are more reliable.

Thus, the correct answer is A. Student 2, because they have a narrower range.