Statistics and Probability / Intro to Data

Understanding

Students are introduced to the notion of a statistical question, a question that anticipates variability in the response. This helps to set the stage for this series of lessons.

What to look for

As students compare data, be sure they use the appropriate vocabulary to describe the distributions.

Sample Assessment

The times it took participants to complete a marathon are shown in the graph below. What is the range of the times?

a. 1 to 17 hours
b. 16 hours
c. 17 hours
d. 1 to 2 hours

Answer: b) 16 hours

The Big Idea

A statistical investigation always begins with a statistical question, one where the responses will have variability.

What are the students doing?

Students think about the overall distribution of data as a story about the data as a whole rather than thinking of the data as individual elements.

What is the teacher doing?

Remind students that each dot in the dot plot represents one animal. Explain that these dots are the distribution.