Task Sets: Understand that a set of data has a distribution - Common Core Math - Grade 6

Warm-Up: Review What You Know

These problems review key vocabulary.

A statistical question generates data. What does that data describe?

A single exact answer with no variability.

A collection of values that vary from one another.

A fixed formula.

A list of names.

A dot plot shows scores of 5 students: 70, 75, 75, 80, 80. What is the range of these scores?

Reading Distributions

Use each display to describe the distribution.

$Dot plot of test scores from 65 to 95. Dots stack highest at 80 with 4 dots. The distribution is roughly symmetric around 80.$

Where do most values in the dot plot cluster?

Around 65 — that is where the lowest scores are.

Around 80 — that is where dots cluster most.

Around 95 — that is where the highest scores are.

Around 100 — that is the top of the scale.

$Dot plot of test scores from 65 to 95. Dots stack highest at 80 with 4 dots. The distribution is roughly symmetric around 80.$

Use the dot plot of test scores below (values from 65 to 95). Which statement correctly describes the spread?

The spread is from 65 to 95, a range of 30 points, with most scores between 75 and 90.

The spread is just 65 to 95.

The spread is 80 because that is the center.

The spread cannot be determined from a dot plot.

$Histogram of sleep hours for 20 students. The tallest bar is at 7-8 hours. The distribution is roughly symmetric and bell-shaped, centered around 7-8 hours.$

A histogram shows hours of sleep for 20 students. Describe the center, spread, and shape of this distribution in 2–3 sentences.

Exercises: Distributions — Center, Spread, and Shape

Warm-Up: Review What You Know

Reading Distributions