Comparing Populations with Friends

5 min

Narrative

In this Warm-up, students review the useful information that can be gained from different graphical representations of data in preparation for comparing groups based on samples from each.

Launch

For classes that may need help remembering the different representations, consider displaying an example of each type of graphical representation mentioned.

Student Task

Dot plots, histograms, and box plots are different ways to represent a data set graphically.

Which of those displays would be the easiest to use to find each feature of the data listed here?

  1. the mean
  2. the median
  3. the mean absolute deviation
  4. the interquartile range
  5. the symmetry

Sample Response

  1. dot plot
  2. box plot
  3. dot plot
  4. box plot
  5. dot plot or histogram
Activity Synthesis (Teacher Notes)

Poll the class for their answers to each of the problems. Select at least one student to share their reasoning for each question.

Standards
Building On
  • 6.SP.4·Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.
  • 6.SP.B.4·Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

30 min