Lately (today), I have become perplexed as to the appropriate application of the "Continuity Correction Factor," found in chapter 7 of Statistical Techniques in Business and Economics, in particular in problems 17 (pg 275), 34 (pg 278), and #12 on the Chapter 7 examination (pg 282).
Just when I thought I had it down right with the application of the correction factor, these three problems came along and blew up my understanding of the direction we add or subtract the "0.5" from the mean.
It seemed to work that whenever a situation required to find a "more than X"-type distribution, you would be able to get the correct answer by subtracting 0.5 from the mean, and vice versa, with a "less than X"-type distribution, requiring an addition of 0.5 from the mean. About 80% of the problems worked out this way, but coming upon the above 3 pretty much ruined that little theory.
Any takers out there on how to approach this particular dilemma?
Thanks,
Rainier
PS. As an update, I'm on Chapter 8 now of the statistics text. I've completed the Standards of Practice book, my self-assigned Financial Accounting, and now I'm in the stats book. I've got chapters 8, 9, and 12 to complete before I move on to my home territory, Economics. Still on pace, though I feel I've fallen a bit behind my self imposed goals. |
