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Summarizing a Data Set

  • Grade 6
  • Mathematics
  • 6.SP.B.5
  • Statistics & Probability
  • Free lesson

Aligned to 6.SP.B.5 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

To summarize numerical data, report how many values there are, describe what was measured and its units, give a measure of center and of variability, and note how the shape affects which center is best.

Worked examples

Example 1

For 5 quiz scores 6, 7, 7, 8, 12: count is 5, the mean is (6+7+7+8+12) ÷ 5 = 8, the median is 7, and the high 12 pulls the mean above the median.

Example 2

For 3, 3, 4, 10: the mean is 5 and the median is 3.5. The single 10 pulls the mean up, so the median describes this group better.

Example 3

Always report what was measured and in what unit. '8' means nothing; '8 hours of sleep per night, measured for 20 students' can be checked.

Practice questions

  1. Find the mean of 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.
  2. For 3, 3, 4, 4, 20, find the median and explain why it beats the mean as a typical value.
  3. Report the count, mean, and range for the data 5, 8, 8, 11.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Resumir un Conjunto de Datos

Para resumir datos numéricos, indica cuántos valores hay, describe qué se midió y sus unidades, da una medida de centro y una de variabilidad, y señala cómo la forma influye en cuál centro conviene usar.

Ejemplo 1: Para 5 calificaciones 6, 7, 7, 8, 12: la cantidad es 5, la media es (6+7+7+8+12) ÷ 5 = 8, la mediana es 7, y el 12 alto jala la media por encima de la mediana.

Ejemplo 2: Para 3, 3, 4, 10: la media es 5 y la mediana es 3.5. El único 10 jala la media hacia arriba, así que la mediana describe mejor a este grupo.

Ejemplo 3: Siempre di qué se midió y en qué unidad. '8' no significa nada; '8 horas de sueño por noche, medidas en 20 estudiantes' sí se puede verificar.

More Statistics & Probability lessons

Statistical Variability and Data Displays6.SP.A.3What Makes a Statistical Question6.SP.A.1Center, Spread, and Shape6.SP.A.2Dot Plots, Histograms, and Box Plots6.SP.B.4

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