Media and Quantitative Literacy

Definitions: Mean – The average of the numbers present in

the sample Median –The number that is the midpoint in

the range Mode - The number that is most frequent in

the sample

IdentificationIQ Scores

96 96 97 99 100 101 102 104 155

Mean = 105.6

IdentificationIQ Scores

96 96 97 99 100 101 102 104 155

Median = 100

IdentificationIQ Scores

96 96 97 99 100 101 102 104 155

Mode = 96

1. What does the x axis represent?

2. What does the y axis represent?

3. What do the plot points indicate?

1. If the purpose of the graph were to show causality, what would the results indicate?

2. If the purpose of the graph were to show correlation, what would the results indicate?

3. Based solely on the information provided by the graph, would these be valid claims? Why or why not?

1. What is a flat tax?

2. Who conducted the survey and what was the sample?

3. What is the margin of error and how does that effect the results?

1. Who conducted the survey and what was the sample?

• Heritage Foundation

• Sample of 100 conference attendees

2. What is the margin of error and how does that effect the results?

• Margin of error +/- 5 points

N = 100 margin of error +/- 5

February 19, 2004 President Bush presented a speech about his tax cuts. [“Remarks by the President on the Economy” Presidential Hall, Eisenhower Executive Office Building]

Here is an excerpt of that speech provided by White House staff following the event:

Bush: The tax relief we passed, 111 million taxpayers will save, on average, $1586 off their taxes.

To the right is a table from the Tax Policy Center.

Combined Effect of Bush Tax Cuts 2003

Income

(in thousands)

Less than 10 23.7 ($8)

10-20 16.6 ($307)

20-30 13.3 ($638)

30-40 9.7 ($825)

40-50 7.6 ($1,012)

50-75 13 ($1,403)

75-100 6.8 ($2,543)

100-200 6.6 ($3,710)

200-500 1.6 ($7,173)

500-1,000 0.3 ($22,485)

More than 1,000 0.1 ($112,925)

Percent of Households

Average Tax Change

Source:   Tax Policy Center table T03-0123

Using that table, which is based on a population of 111 million people, you will complete the following tasks. [This presentation and the assignment sheet will be available on our Blackboard site.]

What is the median income according to the data? What is the tax change (percentage and dollar amount) for those

in the median income range? What income group gets the most tax relief (percentage and

dollar amount)? What is the average tax break? Factor what percentage of each brackets’ income the tax cut

represents. Who is getting the best deal

Using your spreadsheet: create a graph displaying the percentage

of households; collapse the groups into three categories

(poverty, middle class, wealthy) and revise your graph.

Based on your first graph, who is getting the best deal?

Write a paper from the point of view of a candidate. Take a stand on the issue and use the data go promote your position. What information do you present in your speech to the press if you are in favor of the tax cuts? What information do you present if you are against the tax cuts? You will need to present, describe, and analyze the data in detail to provide adequate basis for your argument.