Statistical Questions

Warmup

Sort out the common statistical graphs.

Activity #1

Match Survey Questions to Data Sets.

• Study the data sets below and answer the questions that follow.

Ten sixth-grade students at a school were each asked five survey questions. Their answers to each question are shown here.

Here are the five survey questions. Match each question to a data set that could represent the students’ answers. Explain your reasoning.

Activity #2

Sorting Out Questions into Statistical & Not Statistical.

Here below are a set of cards with questions. Follow the instructions below to carry out the exercise.

• Move the slider to the right to show the cards. You can also highlight the black dot and use the forward arrow key on your keyboard.
• Then sort them into three piles: Statistical Questions, Not Statistical Questions.

Activity #3

Exercise Questions.

• Study the examples and non-examples of Statistical Questions below, and complete the exercises that follow.

These three questions are examples of statistical questions:

• What is the most common color of the cars in the school parking lot?
• What percentage of students in the school have a cell phone?
• Which kind of literature—fiction or nonfiction—is more popular among students in the school?

These three questions are not examples of statistical questions:

• What color is the principal’s car?
• Does Elena have a cell phone?
• What kind of literature; fiction or nonfiction does Diego prefer?

(1.) How are the three statistical questions alike? What do they have in common?

(2.) How are the three non-statistical questions alike? What do they have in common?

(3.) How can you find answers to the statistical questions? How about answers to non-statistical questions?

(4.) What makes a question a statistical question?

Challenge #1

Here is a list of statistical questions. What data would you collect and analyze to answer each question? For numerical data, include the unit of measurement that you would use.

(1). What is a typical height of female athletes on a team in the most recent international sporting event?

(2). Are most adults in the school football fans?

(3). How long do drivers generally need to wait at a red light in Washington, DC?

Challenge #2

Read each question. Think about the data you might collect to answer it and whether you expect to see variability in the data.

Challenge #3

Lin and her friends went out for ice cream after school. The following questions came up during their trip.

Quiz Time

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6/identify-statistical-questions