Decide which of the described variables is/are likely to have a normal or near-normal distribution.

a) The heights of corn stalks in one row of corn that is half a mile long

b) The numbers of viewers of each of the channels from 202 to 550 on Direct TV at 7:00 PM CDT on the third Thursday of November 2012 (349 data values)

A. a
B. b
C. a and b
D. neither

answer B

To determine whether the described variables are likely to have a normal or near-normal distribution, we need to consider a few factors.

First, the central limit theorem states that the sample means of a large number of independent and identically distributed random variables will be approximately normally distributed regardless of the shape of the population distribution. This means that if we have a large enough sample size, the distribution of the variable is likely to be normal.

In the case of option a), the heights of corn stalks in one row of corn that is half a mile long, it is possible that the variable could have a normal distribution. However, there are a few factors to consider. The heights of the corn stalks could be influenced by various factors such as genetics, soil conditions, and other environmental factors. These factors may introduce some variability into the heights, which could result in the distribution deviating from normality. Additionally, we don't know the sample size or whether the corn stalk heights are normally distributed in the population. Therefore, we cannot determine with certainty that this variable has a normal distribution.

In the case of option b), the numbers of viewers of each of the channels from 202 to 550 on Direct TV at 7:00 PM CDT on the third Thursday of November 2012, we have a specific sample size of 349 data values. Since the number of viewers is likely independent and identically distributed, and the sample size is relatively large, we can apply the central limit theorem. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that this variable is likely to have a normal or near-normal distribution.

Therefore, based on the above explanation, the correct answer is C. Both variables, a) the heights of corn stalks in one row of corn, and b) the numbers of viewers of each channel on Direct TV, are likely to have a normal or near-normal distribution.