Back to Interpret shape, center, and spread in context — Problem 3 · Task Set 3

Exercises: Interpret Shape, Center, and Spread in Context

Work through each section in order. For interpretation problems, write in complete sentences about the real-world quantity, not just numbers. Remember: skew points toward the TAIL, the median and IQR resist outliers while the mean and standard deviation do not, and "lower" or "higher" is good or bad only relative to what is being measured.

Grade 9·21 problems·~35 min·Common Core Math - HS Statistics and Probability·group·hss-id-a-3

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Fluency Practice

Read each plot or summary and answer in context.

$Parallel box plots of wait times. Store A: median 4 minutes, IQR 6 minutes (wide box). Store B: median 7 minutes, IQR 2 minutes (narrow box).$

The box plots below show customer wait times at two coffee shops. Which statement correctly interprets BOTH the center and the spread difference?

Store A is usually faster (lower median), but its waits are less predictable (larger IQR); Store B is a bit slower on average but more consistent (smaller IQR).

Store A is better in every way because its median is lower.

The two stores are the same because both boxes reach up to about 8 minutes.

Store B is faster because its box is narrower.