Answer to Question #123797 in Statistics and Probability for Agyemang Freduah

Question

Suppose that the operation manager of computer package delivery service is contemplating
the purchase of a new fleet of trucks. When packages are efficiently stor ed in the trucks in
preparation for deliver y, two major constraints have to be considered. The weight in pounds
and volume in cubic feet for each item. Now suppose that in a sample of 200 packages the
average weight is 26.0pounds with a standard deviation of 3.9 pounds. In addition suppose
that the average volume for each of these packages is 8.8 cubic feet with standard deviation
of 2.2 cubic feet. How can we compare the variation of the weight and volume?

Answer 1

Since the units of measurement of weight and volume are different from each other, the manager must compare the relative scatter of these values.

The coefficient of variation in weight is CV W (3.9 / 26.0) * 100%=15% ,

and the coefficient of variation in volume CV is V (2.2 / 8.8) * 100%=25%.

Thus, the relative variation in the volume of packets is much larger than the relative variation in their weight.