Question

Computer Networks at Home As Americans become more knowledgeable about computer hardware and software, as prices drop and installation becomes easier, home networking of \(\mathrm{PCs}\) is expected to penetrate 27 percent of U.S. households by 2008 , with wireless technology leading the 12 way. $$\begin{array}{lcc}\multicolumn{2}{l} {\text { U.S. Home Networks (in millions) }} \\\\\text { Year } & \text { Wired } & \text { Wireless } \\\\\hline 2002 & 6.1 &1.7 \\\2003 & 6.5 & 4.5 \\\2004 & 6.2 & 8.7 \\\2005 & 5.7 & 13.7 \\\2006 & 4.9 & 19.1 \\\2007 & 4.1 & 24.0 \\\2008 & 3.4 & 28.2\end{array}$$ a. What graphical methods could you use to describe the data? b. Before you draw a graph, look at the predicted number of wired and wireless households in the table. What trends do you expect to see in the graphs? c. Use a line chart to describe the predicted number of wired households for the years 2002 to \(2008 .\) d. Use a bar chart to describe the predicted number of wireless households for the years 2002 to 2008 .

Short answer

Answer: From 2002 to 2008, we observe a decreasing trend in the number of wired households and an increasing trend in the number of wireless households. This indicates that more people were adopting wireless technology and transitioning from wired to wireless networks during this time period.

Step-by-step solution

Graphical Methods

Some useful graphical methods to describe the data are line charts, bar charts, and pie charts. Line charts are commonly used to track trends over time, while bar charts can be used to compare numbers in different categories or to show the frequency of something. Pie charts can be used to show the percentage distribution of a whole. #b.#

Trends to Expect

Based on the predicted number of wired and wireless households in the table, we can expect to see a decrease in the number of wired households and an increase in the number of wireless households over the years 2002 to 2008. This suggests that wireless technology is becoming more popular and people are switching from wired to wireless networks. #c.#

Line Chart for Wired Households

1. Create a list of years (2002-2008) for the x-axis of the line chart. 2. Create a list of the number of wired households corresponding to each year (6.1, 6.5, 6.2, 5.7, 4.9, 4.1, 3.4) for the y-axis of the line chart. 3. Plot a line connecting the points (year, wired households) on the chart. 4. Label the x-axis "Years" and the y-axis "Number of Wired Households." 5. Add a title to the chart: "Predicted Number of Wired Households from 2002 to 2008." #d.#

Bar Chart for Wireless Households

1. Create a list of years (2002-2008) for the x-axis of the bar chart. 2. Create a list of the number of wireless households corresponding to each year (1.7, 4.5, 8.7, 13.7, 19.1, 24.0, 28.2) for the height of the bars of the bar chart. 3. Draw a bar for each year with a height corresponding to the number of wireless households for that year. 4. Label the x-axis "Years" and the y-axis "Number of Wireless Households." 5. Add a title to the chart: "Predicted Number of Wireless Households from 2002 to 2008."

Key concepts

Line Charts

A line chart is a powerful tool for visualizing trends over a period of time. It uses points connected by straight lines to represent changes in data values. In our case, plotting the number of wired households from 2002 to 2008 on a line chart will help show how these numbers diminish over the years.

To create a clear line chart, start by making a list of the years, which will serve as your x-axis. This represents the timeline across which changes occur. Next, list the number of wired households for each corresponding year, which composes the y-axis. By connecting these points, we see a visible trend of decline.

• Years (x-axis): 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Wired Households (y-axis): 6.1, 6.5, 6.2, 5.7, 4.9, 4.1, 3.4

This trend reflects a gradual shift from wired to wireless technology, demonstrated visually by the sloping line. The chart's title should summarize the data's focus, such as "Predicted Number of Wired Households from 2002 to 2008." The line chart thus provides a quick visual cue about data changes over time.

Bar Charts

Bar charts are ideal for comparing quantities across different categories or time periods. By using distinct bars to represent data values, such charts make it easy to see significant differences at a glance.

In our example, a bar chart depicting wireless households from 2002 to 2008 illustrates the rapid increase in adoption. Each bar represents a year, with the bar height reflecting the number of households. This allows us to quickly identify leaps in numbers with minimal effort.

• Years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Wireless Households: 1.7, 4.5, 8.7, 13.7, 19.1, 24.0, 28.2

By arranging bars side by side, you can see how much the count of wireless households grows annually. The chart provides a clear visual trend indicating increasing popularity and reliance on this technology over time. Entitling the chart "Predicted Number of Wireless Households from 2002 to 2008" helps viewers immediately grasp the focus of the data being presented.

Trend Analysis

Trend analysis is a method used to predict future movements by examining historical data. With the data on U.S. home networks, we can identify clear trends and make informed predictions.

The data shows two contrasting trends: a decline in wired networking from 6.1 million households in 2002 to just 3.4 million by 2008, and an increase in wireless networking from 1.7 million to 28.2 million over the same period. Such a shift signals the growing preference for wireless technology, driven by advancements in user-friendly installation and falling costs.

• Decreasing Trend: Wired households see a consistent drop.
• Increasing Trend: Wireless households exhibit significant growth.

By analyzing these trends, businesses can strategize effectively for future market conditions, and researchers can further understand technological adoption patterns. This trend analysis not only provides insights into past behavior but also indicates potential future shifts as technology continues to evolve.