6.DS.4 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 1

Describe Data Using the Mean

Pick up where we left off

Name: Date: Group:

Where we left off

Our goal: I can determine the mean of a data set, use a target mean to find a missing value, and explain the mean as the fair share and the balance point of the data, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.

The big idea: Mean = total of all the values ÷ how many values there are — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.

Model to copy — Watch me

  1. Miguel's 4 days of earnings are shown with counters. When I combine all of the counters, there are 60 of them, which means Miguel earned $60 in all.
  2. Now I redistribute the 60 counters equally among the 4 days. Each of the 4 groups ends up with 15 counters.
  3. The arithmetic does exactly the same thing: I find the total, 60, and divide it by the number of days, 4. So 60 ÷ 4 = 15.
  4. We can use $15 to describe Miguel's typical daily earnings. That leveled value is the mean.

Start here

You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.

  1. 1

    Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.

    Try it together — then prove it: New data set: a dog walker earns $9, $11, $16, and $12 over 4 days. First, what is the total? Next, how many values are in the data set? That number is what we divide by. Last, divide the total by 4. Is your answer bigger than the smallest day and smaller than the biggest day? It should be. Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.
    Show your work
2.8 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 1 of 4
6.DS.4 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 2

Describe Data Using the Mean

Keep going

You answered these out loud. Now write them.

Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.

  1. 2

    Think it throughHow many points has Sofia scored in games 1 through 9?

    1. A133 points
    2. B150 points
    3. C135 points
    4. D15 points

    Why is that the answer?

  2. 3

    Think it throughTo finish with a mean of 15 points across 10 games, how many points does Sofia need in all?

    1. A150 points
    2. B133 points
    3. C15 points
    4. D25 points

    How do you know? Give a second reason as well.

  3. 4

    Think it throughHer nine games total 13 points below the target mean and 11 points above it. What must game 10 be for the data to balance at 15?

    1. A17 points — 2 above the target mean
    2. B13 points — 2 below the target mean
    3. C15 points — exactly the target mean
    4. D24 points — enough to double the points above

    Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?

  4. 5

    Back to the modelFour games are below 15 and four games are above 15. Does that already mean the data balances at 15? What else would you have to measure?

2.8 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 2 of 4
6.DS.4 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 3

Describe Data Using the Mean

Words and reasoning

Word bank · Banco de palabras

Mean (Media)Average (Promedio)Measure of center (Medida de centro)Balance point (Punto de equilibrio)Data set (Conjunto de datos)

Use the words

Fill each blank with a word from the bank.

Explain the thinking

  1. 6

    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: The most common mistake with the mean is adding correctly and then dividing by the wrong number — or not dividing at all.
  2. 7

    Say moreWe piled all 60 counters together and then redistributed them equally into 4 bins. How is that the same as arithmetic?

  3. 8

    Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: Every week, Miguel walks dogs after school to earn some money. He keeps track of his earnings in his notebook. Over 4 days he earned $60 in all. How can Miguel describe his earnings on a typical day?

    Show your work
2.8 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 3 of 4
6.DS.4 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 4

Describe Data Using the Mean

Show what you know

Last check

These two come from Lesson 2.7. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.

  1. 9

    Show what you knowExplain your thinking — Data set: 8, 12, 10, 14. What is the mean?

    1. A11
    2. B44
    3. C12
    4. D10

    Explain your choice.

  2. 10

    From Lesson 2.7Explain your thinking — What is 19.2 ÷ 0.8?

    1. A24
    2. B2.4
    3. C240
    4. D0.24

    How do you know?

  3. 11

    From Lesson 2.7If each piece were 2.8 feet instead, how many whole pieces could you cut?

    1. A5
    2. B6
    3. C7
    4. D8

    How do you know?

Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next

I can…Not yetGetting thereGot it
I can determine the mean of a data set, use a target mean to find a missing value, and explain the mean as the fair share and the balance point of the data, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
I can explain why it works: Mean = total of all the values ÷ how many values there are — and you can say why it is true…
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