Histogram of the Blood Pressure Data
In this activity, you will be calculating the mean, median, and mode, calculating the standard deviation, and generating a histogram of the
blood pressure data. 
The data set includes the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings of a person taken
over a three month period. Normal diastolic blood pressure readings are in the range of
65-75 (mmHg). In the past, patients with diastolic readings consistently over 100 were
considered candidates for taking medication to reduce their
diastolic blood pressure. However, in recent years, doctors have found that patients with
diastolic readings that are consistently between 90-100 can benefit from medication. This
change in protocol is 
due mainly to the fact that new
medications are being developed that have fewer negative side effects. Using either Excel or the TI-83
graphing calculator, calculate the mean, median, and mode for both the systolic and
diastolic blood pressures. Then, using either Excel
or the TI-83, calculate the standard deviation
of the
data. Finally, using either Excel or the TI-83, generate histograms for both.
This data exists in three files; one is in Excel Data format, one is in Text format, and one is in TI-83 Group format. If you want to calculate the mean, median, and mode and generate a histogram using the TI-83, you will have to import the text data into the calculator from the computer after you have downloaded the file.
What are the mean, median, and mode for the systolic and diastolic pressures? What do they reveal? What is the standard deviation for the systolic and diastolic pressures? Does the data cluster around one value? What category (bin) contains the highest frequency of readings? Considering the mean, median, mode, standard deviation and the histogram you have generated for the diastolic readings of this patient, should the doctor consider prescribing blood pressure medication? Why?
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