Comparing Data with Visual Overlap
Aligned to 7.SP.B.3 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
To compare two data sets, look at how much their distributions overlap and compare their centers. Measuring the difference in centers in units of the spread (like mean absolute deviation, MAD) shows how separated they are.
Worked example
Team A's heights center at 60 in and Team B's at 66 in, each with a MAD of 3 in. The centers differ by 6 in, which is 6 ÷ 3 = 2 MADs apart — a clear separation with little overlap.
Practice questions
- Two classes have mean scores of 80 and 85, each with a MAD of 5. How many MADs apart are the means?
- Are means that are 10 apart with MAD 2 more or less separated than means 10 apart with MAD 8?
- What does 'a lot of overlap' tell you about how two distributions' centers compare?
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 lessonEn español
Comparar Datos con Traslape Visual
Para comparar dos conjuntos de datos, observa cuánto se traslapan sus distribuciones y compara sus centros. Medir la diferencia entre los centros en unidades de la dispersión (como la desviación media absoluta, DMA) muestra qué tan separados están.
Ejemplo: Las estaturas del Equipo A se centran en 60 pulg y las del Equipo B en 66 pulg, cada uno con una DMA de 3 pulg. Los centros difieren en 6 pulg, o sea 6 ÷ 3 = 2 DMA de separación: una separación clara con poco traslape.
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