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The earned run average (ERA) is one measure of pitching ability.

Directions: Enter the statistics into a spreadsheet and use the Formula Bar to determine the ERAs for the active all-time leading pitchers. Then, create a bar graph to compare the pitchers.

To compute a pitcher’s ERA, multiply the number of earned runs by nine innings, and then divide that product by the number of innings pitched:

1. Click in the first cell in the ERA column, and then type an equal sign (=) in the Formula Bar to begin the formula.
2. After the equal sign, type 9, type asterisk (*), click the first row’s Earned Runs cell, type a forward slash (/), and click first row’s Innings Pitched cell. The formula in the Formula Bar should look similar to =9*F2/E2.
3. Press Enter to calculate and display the ERA in the first cell of the ERA column.
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for all cells in the ERA column, or copy and past the formula into the ERA column’s cells.

After you calculate the ERA, create a scatter plot to compare the pitchers’ ERAs.

Use the data and your graph to answer the following:

1. Who is currently the best pitcher? Why?
2. What factors should be taken into account when determining the best pitcher?
3. How is the ERA an “average”?

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