New
New
Year 6

Explain why the mean is useful and when it is not appropriate

I can explain why the mean is useful and when it is not appropriate representation of a set of data

New
New
Year 6

Explain why the mean is useful and when it is not appropriate

I can explain why the mean is useful and when it is not appropriate representation of a set of data

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. If there is an outlier or value that does not fit with the set the mean average will not be appropriate.
  2. In some contexts, the mean average does not give a useful representation of a set of data,

Keywords

  • Mean average - The mean average is a single number expressing the typical value in a set of data. It is calculated by finding the total of the set of data and dividing by how many values there are.

  • Set of data - A set of data is collection of facts, such as numbers, words, measurements, observations or even just descriptions of things.

  • Outlier - An outlier is a value that lies outside. It is much smaller or larger than most of the other values in a set of data.

Common misconception

You need to look carefully at a set of data to make sure that the values are reasonable and that calculation of the mean average will give a value that is useful when describing the set and comparing.

Encourage pupils to look carefully at a set of data, identifying values that look unusual and thinking about the impact that they will have if the mean average is calculated. An outlying value in one set of data may be reasonable in another set.

Other averages will be covered at secondary school and this lesson aims to raise awareness that the mean average is not always a useful value when considering and comparing data. Mean averages that are not whole numbers are included in this lesson.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
= 81 ÷ 9
Correct Answer: 9
Q2.
Give your answer as a decimal. 45 ÷ 4 =
Correct Answer: 11.25
Q3.
If the mean average of a set of data is 7, what can the total value not be?
14
Correct answer: 37
77
Q4.
Lucas records how many times children change their books during the week in Oak Class and Willow Class. Match the correct mean average to the class.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Oak Class,4

4

Correct Answer:Willow Class,5

5

Q5.
Here are some spelling test scores. Laura: 12; Lucas: 10; Sofia: 8; Jun 2 Lucas says that mean average is 7 because 32 ÷ 4 = 7. Is Lucas correct?
Yes
Correct answer: No
Q6.
Calculate the mean average goal difference for the Oak hockey team.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 2
3
4

6 Questions

Q1.
An outlier is a value that lies outside. It is much _______ or ______ than most of the other values in a set of data. Select two missing words to complete the definition.
harder
Correct answer: smaller
Correct answer: larger
different
Q2.
Identify the outlying values in this set of data.
An image in a quiz
54
31
Correct answer: 437
42
Q3.
Look at the data. Laura says we must include 0 when calculating the mean average. Lucas disagrees and says that it should not be included in this example. Who is correct?
An image in a quiz
Laura
Correct answer: Lucas
Q4.
Match the problem to show whether working out the mean average would be helpful or not.
Correct Answer:Helpful to find mean.,How long it takes for children to read 100 words.

How long it takes for children to read 100 words.

Correct Answer:Not helpful to find mean., What size jumpers children wear from Year 1 to Year 6

What size jumpers children wear from Year 1 to Year 6

Q5.
Calculate the mean average of the spelling test scores without the outlying value.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 33
Q6.
Calculate the mean average of goals scored per match without the outlying value. The mean average is .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 1