John measured the thickness of a book using a measuring stick. He obtained the following values (in inches): 2.38; 2.36; 2.58; 2.35; 2.37; 2.40; 2.38; 2.34; 2.35; 2.41; 2.37; 23.45.
(a) Which of the given data values are probably due to either systematic error or a mistake? Why?
(b) Calculate the mean thickness of the book. Include measurements based on your answer to the question #1.
(c) Calculate the standard deviation of the mean.
(d) How do you report properly John's experimental results for the thickness of the book? Write a sentence that explains your result.