is a summary measure that attempts to describe a whole dataset with a single value that represents the middle or centre of its distribution.

The spread/dispersion of data values describes how far apart the pieces of data are.

Comparing summaries of data

Maths

In this unit, pupils consider the mean, median and mode and evaluate their usefulness in a variety of contexts. In the sampling unit, pupils are given the opportunity to consider where the data came from and how it was collected and can therefore start to evaluate how good a representation the sample is of the whole population.

In this unit, pupils learnt how to calculate the mean and began to use the mean to make comparisons between two sets of data. Pupils also considered whether the mean was an appropriate way of representing the data 

Numerical summaries of data

Match the summary statistic to the word that can be used to help in its interpretation.

Both Lucas and Sofia's most frequent number of points per game is almost equal.

Sofia's typical number of points scored per game is lower than Lucas'.

Sofia's typical number of points scored per game is higher than Lucas'.

Lucas' middle-scoring game is lower than Sofia's middle-scoring game.

Lucas' middle-scoring game is higher than Sofia's middle-scoring game.

Which of these is a valid interpretation of the mean number of points Lucas and Sofia have scored when playing the new video game?

The variety of points Sofia scored is higher than Lucas'.

The variety of points Sofia scored is lower than Lucas'.

The variety of points Sofia and Lucas scored are almost equal.

Sofia has a lower consistency of points than Lucas.

Sofia has a higher consistency of points than Lucas.

Which of these is a valid interpretation of the range of points Lucas and Sofia scored when playing the new video game?

The median number of goals scored by Jun in a match is higher than Aisha.

The median number of goals scored by Aisha in a match is higher than Jun.

The modal number of goals scored in a match by Aisha and Jun are equal.

Aisha's goals scored in a match is bimodal, with one mode higher than Jun's.

Which of these statements are true for the median and modal number of goals Jun and Aisha scored over 11 netball matches?

On a mean average match, Jun will score 2 goals more than Aisha.

On a mean average match, Jun and Aisha will score the same number of goals.

However, Aisha is more consistent at scoring goals.

However, Jun is more consistent at scoring goals.

Which of these statements are an accurate interpretation of the number of goals Jun and Aisha scored over 11 netball matches?

The typical score of a student in class A is 1.6 higher than class B.

The typical score of a student in class B is 1.6 higher than class A.

However, class A had a more consistent set of scores.

In conclusion, class B did better, as their middle-scoring student did better.

In conclusion, class A did better, as their most frequent score was higher.

Which of these statements combine to make an accurate comparison of which class performed better on an end-of-topic quiz.

Which of these is not a measure of central tendency?

Describe the modal properties of this data set: 12, 12, 9, 8, 8, 4, 0, 3, 12, 9, 9

By how much is the range of data set A greater than the range of data set B? {{ }}

Match each of the mean, median, mode, and range to its value for this data set: 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9

Match each summary statistic to its value for this dot plot.

Which of these is a reasonable estimate for the mean of this data set?

Starter Quiz