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Lesson Plan: Lesson plans were written by Maryland mathematics educators and could be used when teaching the concepts.

Goal 3 Data Analysis And Probability

Expectation 3.1 The student will collect, organize, analyze, and present data.

Indicator 3.1.2 The student will use the measures of central tendency and/or variability to make informed conclusions.

Lesson Content

Variability & Data Sets

Objective

  • The student will determine the affect that variability in data has on the mean and median.

Materials Needed

Calculator Skills

  • Enter data into a list.
  • Create a box an whisker plot and use the trace feature to determine the five-number summary.
  • Calculate the mean and median.

Assessment

  • Warm-Up
  • Class discussion
  • Group work

Lesson Structure

    Warm-Up/Opening Activity

    Have the students work in pairs to complete this drill. Students should remember that the mean is the numerical average, and the median is simply the middle number. After the pairs have had a chance to discuss the questions let the students explain to the class why their answers make sense. Answers will vary, but you should expect students to notice that the second data set is symmetrical or has numbers equal distance from the middle number while the first data set has two values that are way to the left of the middle number.
    Calculate the mean and the median for each date set. Discuss why your values make sense for the given data.
    1. 3, 4, 50, 60, 70
    2. 30, 40, 50, 60, 70

    Exploration

    Have students work with their group or with a partner to complete "Box and whisker Plots and Measures of Central Tendency". Calculators should be available for the students to use. Some students may want to actually plot the boxplots to see these screens on their on calculator. While the students are working circulate to check on their progress, prompt their thinking through leading questions, and give them a chance to ask you questions.

    Class Discussion

    After most students have completed this activity have a class discussion. This gives you the opportunity to check to make sure that all groups understand the concept of the lesson. See the answer key for the major points that students should bring up during this discussion.

    Additional Practice

    These problems are provided for you to use in any one of a variety of ways such as homework, an individual check for understanding, review, or quiz.
    Additional Problems

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