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      Problem solving with numerical summaries of data

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use my understanding of various data summaries to solve problems.

      Key learning points

      1. Stated conclusions should be critically evaluated to ensure validity.
      2. Certain statistical summaries may be omitted in the real world.
      3. In order to make more accurate conclusions, you need the data set and the conditions it was collected in.

      Keywords

      • Statistical summary - A statistical summary sums up the features of a data set.

      • Central tendency - A summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value that represents the middle or centre of its distribution

      • Range - The range is a measure of spread. It is found by finding the difference between the highest and lowest values

      Common misconception

      Reporting two averages when asked to make two comparisons between sets of data.

      Mean, media and mode essentially measure the same thing: central tendency. So use one of the comparisons to comment on the spread of data.

      Teacher tip

      Ask pupils to sketch possible dotplots for a dataset when they are given an average and the range. E.g. 10 people throw darts at a target; the mean score was 30 points and the range was 8 points.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The dot plot represents a set of data. The mode for this data is .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 2, two

      Q2.
      The dot plot represents a set of data. The median for this data is .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 3, three

      Q3.
      The dot plot represents a set of data. The mean for this data is

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 5, five

      Q4.
      The dot plot represents a set of data. The range for this data is

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 8, eight

      Q5.
      Select all of the measures that are types of averages.

      Correct answer: mean
      Correct answer: median
      Correct answer: mode
      range
      total

      Q6.
      Two classes of pupils sit a test. The range of scores in Class A is 22; the range in scores for Class B is 35. Which conclusion is valid for this statistical summary?

      The scores in Class A tended to be higher than the scores in Class B.
      The scores in Class A tended to be lower than the scores in Class B.
      Correct answer: The scores in Class A tended to be more consistent than the scores in Class B.
      The scores in Class A tended to be less consistent than the scores in Class B.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The central tendency of a dataset can be described by using an , such as the mean, median or mode.

      Correct Answer: average

      Q2.
      The spread of a dataset can be described by using the .

      mean
      median
      mode
      Correct answer: range

      Q3.
      The table shows summary statistics about how many points each person scored during a series of hockey games. The mode suggests that tended to score the highest each game.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: Sofia, sofia

      Q4.
      The table shows summary statistics about how many points each person scored during a series of hockey games. Which measure suggests that Jun tended to score the highest in each game?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: mean
      median
      mode
      range

      Q5.
      The table shows summary statistics about how many points each person scored during a series of hockey games. Which measure suggests that Aisha tends to score the highest in each game?

      An image in a quiz
      mean
      Correct answer: median
      mode
      range

      Q6.
      The table shows summary statistics about how many points each person scored during a series of hockey games. Whose scores tend to be the most consistent?

      An image in a quiz
      Aisha
      Correct answer: Jun
      Sofia

      To help you plan your 8 maths lesson on: Problem solving with numerical summaries of data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...