[MATHEDCC] Statistics Project

Phil Mahler (mahlerp@admin.middlesex.cc.ma.us)
Mon, 22 Dec 1997 09:57:51 EST5EDT4,M4.1.0,M10.5.0

>I need some help. Next semester I am going to give some stat students a
>group project.
>
>I live near a samll town that has an Arts Festival every year. They
>estimate the crowd to be 250,000 people. I think a much more reasonable
>estimate is 25,000.
>
>My plan is to divide the class into groups. Let each group decide how they
>will estimate the crowd, then go estimate it, then report their findings. I

I'd suggest that at some point someone in the class call the local newspaper
and the local police. This would apply best to a larger city.

Both types of organizations perform estimates of crowd sizes, and they
often differ in their results. So, I'd ask them how they do it. In fact
there must be professional guidelines for doing this.

Failing this, I'd count the number of feet and divide by two.

Philip Mahler
Middlesex CC
Bedford, MA
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