Accuracy of Astrological Predictions of Compatibility Amongst the

Accuracy of Astrological Predictions of Compatibility Amongst the Student Body of Washburn High By Claire R-M. and Nick N.

Background Astrology is based on the relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world. The Indians, Chinese, and Mayans developed systems for predicting events based off celestial observations. In Western culture, astrology often consists of a system of horoscopes explaining aspects of someone’s personality, compatibility and predicting life events based on the positions of the sun, moon, and other objects at their time of birth.

Research Question We wonder…What is the accuracy of astrological predictions of compatibility with respect to one’s closest friend?

Zodiac Sign Examples 21 Jan - 19 Feb = Aquarius 20 Feb - 20 Mar = Pisces 21 Mar - 20 Apr = Aries 21 Apr - 21 May = Taurus 22 May - 21 June = Gemini 22 June - 22 July = Cancer 23 July - 23 Aug = Leo 24 Aug - 23 Sept = Virgo 24 Sept - 23 Oct = Libra 24 Oct - 22 Nov = Scorpio 23 Nov - 21 Dec = Sagittarius 22 Dec - 20 Jan = Capricorn

The 12 Signs

Compatibility For each sign, astrology predicts two other signs they are compatible with. Aquarius - Gemini, Libra Pisces - Cancer, Scorpio Aries - Leo, Sagittarius Taurus - Virgo, Capricorn Gemini - Libra, Aquarius Cancer - Scorpio, Pisces Leo - Aries, Sagittarius Virgo - Taurus, Capricorn Libra - Gemini, Aquarius Scorpio - Cancer, Pisces Sagittarius - Aries, Leo Capricorn - Taurus, Virgo

Our Procedure ● We selected our subjects using a simple random sample. This we got by labeling each fourth hour class with a two digit number from 01 to 85. ● Given that the population of Washburn is approximately 1, 400 we found that 10% of that was 140. Estimating that the average class size would be 25 we calculated that we would need 6 classes to meet this sample size. ● We randomly selected six fourth hour classes using the random digit table. ● We visited each class and surveyed the students in each room. The survey asked them to provide their own birthday and that of their best/closest friend.

Our Procedure Cont. ● We then took all the data and translated the birthdays into their corresponding zodiac sign. ● We compared these pairs to the compatible pairs predicted by astrology and marked them as either ‘match’ or ‘not match’ ● We found our p-hat value and carried out a One Proportion Z Interval *We found that 11. 4 % of our sample had a high predicted compatibility with their closest friend.

Raw Data

Gathering Match: 16/140 Not Match: 124/140

One Proportion Z Interval - Parameter: The true the proportion of all pairs of closest friends in Washburn who have high predicted astrological compatibility. - Assumptions: Random - A Simple Random Sample of six fourth hour classes. � Normal - Approximately Normal by Large Counts Condition. � 140 (. 114)= 15. 96 ≥ 10 140 (1 -. 114)= 124. 04 ≥ 10 Independent - 140 x 10 ≤ N (All Students At Washburn) It is safe to assume that there are more than 1, 400 students at Washburn�

Finding the Interval: . 114 ± 1. 960 √ . 114(1 -. 114) 140 ⇨ (. 0614, . 1666) we want to have 95% confidence, so our z score is 1. 960 Conclusion: We are 95% confident that true the proportion of all pairs of closest friends in Washburn who are compatible according to astrological predictions is captured by the interval from. 0614 to. 1666.

Based off our sample results, it’s safe to assume that these predictions for compatibility are not accurate amongst pairs of close friends at Washburn.

Limitations and Recommendations ● Considering someone a best friend or your closest friend does not necessarily mean the two of you are compatible, friendships, especially in high school, can be abusive and/or solely out of convenience. We would have to look at healthy or seemingly compatible relationships to test this and that could be difficult to define. ● There were a few surveys we didn’t include. A few had both dates as 9/11, one had both dates with 9/11 and was covered in swastikas, and a couple had both dates as 4/20. This could be considered bias but we used our prior knowledge of the things kids do to feel funny and clever and decided they shouldn’t be counted because there was a great chance that they weren’t serious.

Limitations and Recommendations Cont ● There were also some kids that didn’t understand how to write the birthdays ● There were some kids who didn’t know the birthday of their closest friend or didn’t have a close friend. One student asked Nick his birthday and wrote that down. ● Many of the classes we ended up surveying were freshman classes. This could alter our data from that of the whole school because with age comes experience and the ability to better identity what a true and compatible friend is. ● It is difficult to find multiple sources that lists only one or two compatible signs for each sign, we looked at a number of lists and found the most commonly occurring ones.

Limitations and Recommendations Cont ● Some books and sites distinguish between friendship compatibility and romantic or sexual compatibility, some don’t specify what the compatibility is, it is just meant to be general compatibility. Perhaps we could get more accurate predictions if we consulted only what would be considered reliable sources such as a professor of astrology or a book written by someone who has studied the subject in depth. ● There are other sites and books that talk about the importance of moon signs, this is another way to categorize birthdays. It has been said that the most accurate way to predict things through astrology is by using both the astrological sign and the moon sign. ● Gender is another factor. For example in the book Sextrology, there are different predictions of relationships between gay and straight couples. How ever I have not seen this come into play when predicting compatibility of friends/ general compatibility.