Homework 1

due in class, Tuesday January 13

You must SHOW ALL WORK for full credit (except for things computed entirely in R, of course). Please staple your assignment if it is more than one page. Where the problem asks you to create a graph, you should do one of the three following things: (a) if you are using a word processor, include the graph in the document file directly, (b) print the graph out separately, then cut off the white space with scissors and tape it into your homework in the appropriate place, or (c) include the graphs as figures on separate pages, labeling each graph clearly, and referring to the labels in the text of your homework. In any case, do not turn in transcripts of your computer sessions. Include only the most relevant output, circling or highlighting if necessary, and never make the grader fish for the answer. These instructions also apply for all future assignments, even if they are not repeated on those assignments.

Required problems:

1) Do problem 1.56 on p. 29, parts (b) through (e).
2) Using the data from problem 2.6 (p. 49), the PE data on the CD
a) Make a stem and leaf plot.
b) Make a histogram.
c) Around what amount does the price-to-earnings ratio seem to be concentrated?
3) Do problem 2.63 on p. 79.
4) Find a chart in a newspaper, magazine, or online article that does not follow all of the principles of graphical excellence. Include a copy of the chart in your homework, and discuss the good and bad features of this chart. Alternatively, you may do problem 2.44 on p. 75, and you should list two (or more) bad features in part (b).

Optional problem:

5) Do problem 2.40 on p. 71, all parts except part (e) (doing a side-by-side barplot in R is more work than it's worth at this point).