A measure of central tendency is a summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value that represents the middle or centre of its distribution.

A statistical summary sums up the features of a data set.

Checking understanding of measures of central tendency

Maths

In this unit, pupils began to compare two different sets of data. In the future unit, pupils will consider cumulative frequency graphs and histograms and compare the data from these diagrams to other graphical representations.

In the prior unit, pupils considered the mean, median and mode and evaluated their usefulness in a variety of contexts. In this unit, pupils extend this learning to comparing two different data sets and comparing these measures of central tendency.

Comparisons of numerical summaries of data

In which of these data sets is the mean more likely to be influenced by outliers or unsymmetrical data?

Which of these measures of central tendency can be used to summarise qualitative data?

This dot plot shows a data set where the mode = median = 48. Will the mean be less than 48, equal to 48 or more than 48?

Select the true statements for the data set: 8, 13, 8, 11, 10, 13, 8, 11, 12, 10.

Which of the measures of central tendency would be the most appropriate measure for the shopkeeper to use to know how many carrier bags to order?

The average house price on a street of 8 houses is advertised at £400 000. A local estate agent values 7 houses below £400 000. Which average has been used in the quoted £400 000?

Which of these is not a measure of central tendency?

The mode of this data set is 6. Which of these values can $$x$$ take?

The mean of this data set is 5, so $$x$$ is {{ }}. 

The range of this data set is 5. What could the values of $$x$$ be?

The median of this set of data is 6. Which of these describe all the values $$x$$ be?

Match each letter to the number it represents. 

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