Practice Set · Part 1
Choose Appropriate Measures
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can choose the best measure of center for a data set based on its shape, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: Use the mean for data with no outliers; use the median when an outlier or a skewed shape would pull the mean away from typical — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.
Model to copy — Watch me
- My data, the top scorer's points: 22, 24, 20, 25, 23, 21, 58. I notice 58 is much bigger than the rest, so it is an outlier.
- Mean: 22 + 24 + 20 + 25 + 23 + 21 + 58 = 193, then 193 ÷ 7 ≈ 27.6.
- Median: in order they are 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 58. The middle (4th) value is 23.
- The mean (27.6) is higher than 6 of the 7 games because 58 pulled it up. So the median (23) better shows a typical game.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Data set A: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Are there any outliers? If not, which measure should we use, mean or median? Data set B: 4, 5, 6, 7, 40. Which value is an outlier here? For data set B, would the outlier pull the mean up or down? So which measure best shows a typical value? Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.Show your work - 2
Warm restartThe mean of a data set is 20. A value is 26. What is the absolute deviation?
- A−6
- B6
- C46
- D26
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartThe mean of a data set is 15. One value is 11. What is the absolute deviation of that value from the mean?
- A−4
- B26
- C4
- D11
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartA data set has absolute deviations of 3, 1, 5, 2, 4. What is the MAD?
- A5
- B3
- C15
- D1
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Choose Appropriate Measures
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it throughWhat is the mean ticket price?
- A$85
- B$51
- C$260
- D$50
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughWhat is the median ticket price?
- A$51
- B$85
- C$52
- D$50
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughWhich measure better describes a 'typical' ticket?
- AThe median, because the $260 outlier pulls the mean far above most prices
- BThe mean, because it uses every value
- CNeither — you should use the mode
- DThe mean, because $85 is between the extremes
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelWhat pattern do you notice about when median is the better choice?
Sort it again — on paper this time
Write the letter of the group each one belongs in.
- Basketball: Points per game — 18, 20, 19, 22, 21, 20 (no outliers, symmetric)
- Baseball: Home runs — 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 25 (one player hit 25)
- Soccer: Goals per season — 8, 10, 9, 11, 7, 10, 9 (clustered together)
- Football: Rushing yards — 45, 52, 48, 50, 210 (one breakout game)
- Swimming: 100m times — 58s, 59s, 57s, 60s, 58s (consistent data)
- Track: Long jump — 12ft, 13ft, 11ft, 14ft, 42ft (one record jump)
Practice Set · Part 3
Choose Appropriate Measures
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- A center chosen because it describes the data fairly is an ___ ___ ___ ___.
- The average of a data set is the ___.
- The middle value when data is in order, often best when there is an outlier, is the ___.
- A value far from the rest of the data, which can pull the mean, is an ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Appropriate Measures is defaulting to the mean just because "it uses all the data," without first checking whether an outlier or skewed shape is present. - 10
Say moreAs you sort scenarios into 'Use Mean' or 'Use Median,' what clue tells you a data set needs the median instead of the mean?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: The students want to describe the data they collected about the years of teaching experience of the teachers in their school. One teacher's number sits far away from all the others.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Choose Appropriate Measures
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 2.9. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — Data set: 15, 18, 16, 17, 15, 72. Which measure of center best represents the data?
- AMedian, because 72 is an outlier
- BMean, because it uses all values
- CMean, because it is always best
- DNeither works for this data
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 2.9Explain your thinking — Data set: 4, 8, 6, 10, 2. The mean is 6. What is the MAD?
- A2.4
- B6
- C0
- D12
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 2.9Which keeper should the coach start, and why?
- AKeeper A, because the smaller MAD (0.67) means more consistent performance
- BKeeper B, because two shutouts is best
- CEither one, because the means are equal
- DKeeper B, because a larger MAD means more skill
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can choose the best measure of center for a data set based on its shape, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Use the mean for data with no outliers; use the median when an outlier or a skewed shape would pull the mean… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time