Activity Overview
Students find a sample of a given size with a given mean. Students will show one way 100 families can have a mean of 2.58 children and understand the meaning of the term "average."
Before the Activity
Understand the concept of "average" in mathematics
Study the calculator keystrokes as explained in the activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 13 - 18 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the activity procedures:
Prepare a plan to show exactly 100 families that have an average of 2.58 children
Understand that since the mean is between 2 and 3, some families with 2 children and some families with 3 children should be used for the sample
Realize that since the mean is closer to 3 than 2, more families with 3 children should be used
Record the number of families which have 2 children
Record the number of families which have 3 children
Make a plan with exactly 100 families
Calculate the total number of children
Try to ensure that the total number of children does not exceed 258 [because the mean is 2.58]
If the number of children exceeds 258, trade in some larger families for some smaller ones
If the number of children is less than 258, trade in some smaller families for some larger ones
Create other plans with families having 1, 2, 3, and 4 children
After the Activity
Students complete the Student Activity pages and answer questions.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary