MATH-1530-OL Applied Project 1 Study Notes and Guidelines

Course Code: MATH-1530-OL
Assignment Name: Applied Project 1 (AP#1)
Submission Due Date: September 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Late Penalty Policy: Submissions made past the deadline incur a penalty of $1\%$ per minute late.

Students select exactly one of five options using data located in the attached Excel file (AP#1.xlsx).

Option A: Property Sales
- Focus: Real estate valuation and listing prices.
- Dataset Context: Alphonse is evaluating two residential properties for sale that feature roughly equivalent floor plans and location characteristics.
- Comparison Individuals/Entities:
- Property 1: Listed at $\$179{,}000$
- Property 2: Listed at $\$225{,}000$
Option B: School Enrollment
- Focus: High school student body sizes.
- Comparison Individuals/Entities:
- Berthos High School: Enrollment of $1{,}758$ students
- Nowhere County High School: Total enrollment of $487$ students
Option C: Life Expectancy
- Focus: Neighborhood-level lifespan statistics.
- Comparison Individuals/Entities:
- Good Times Neighborhood: Denizens have an average life expectancy of $77.7\,\text{years}$
- Dodgy Domiciles: Denizens have an average life expectancy of $71\,\text{years}$
Option D: Weekly Work Hours
- Focus: Individual labor hours worked per week.
- Comparison Individuals/Entities:
- Florla: Works $51\,\text{hours}$ per week
- Jarnathan: Works $43\,\text{hours}$ per week
Option E: Student Loan Debt
- Focus: Cumulative unpaid student loan debt at university graduation.
- Comparison Individuals/Entities:
- Evangeline: Graduated with $\$12{,}345$ in unpaid student loan debt
- Bert: Graduated from university with $\$54{,}321$ in unpaid student loan debt

Histogram Construction:
- Build a graphical histogram based on the chosen option's sample data.
- Ensure appropriate scaling across all axes.
- Provide clear and precise labels for axes, bins, and titles.
Measures of Central Tendencies:
- Calculate the arithmetic Mean for the sample.
- Determine the Median value of the sample.
- Identify the Mode (or modes) of the sample dataset.
Percentile Analysis:
- Determine the exact percentiles into which the two specific individuals or groups fall when evaluated against the full sample distribution.
Sampling Methodology and Bias Identification:
- Formulate a realistic, real-life explanation describing how the sample data could have been gathered.
- Identify the specific classification of sampling technique used (e.g., convenience, stratified, simple random, cluster, systematic).
- Detail potential statistical biases that could emerge from the chosen collection method.

Draft Stage Evaluation Criteria:
- Correctness of calculated statistics (mean, median, mode, and both percentile values).
- Inclusion of a reasonably scaled and labeled histogram.
- A realistic, feasible explanation regarding data collection processes.
- Open sharing of analytical work to enable error identification and troubleshooting prior to final submission.
Final Submission Evaluation Criteria:
- Accuracy: Statistics (mean, median, mode, and both percentiles) must be completely correct.
- Visualization: Histogram must be appropriately scaled and formatted with complete labels.
- Data Methodologies: Data collection narrative must be practical and structurally sound.
- Professional Product: The deliverable must be formatted as a professional communication piece via one of two mediums:
- Written Article: A thoughtfully composed article that leverages empirical findings (measures of center, percentiles, and histogram) to demonstrate a cohesive practical point.
- Video Presentation: A thoughtfully delivered audio-visual presentation that educates the target audience on the steps taken, the execution methodology, and the practical significance of the mathematical findings.