D2.2 Make and test predictions about the likelihood that the mode(s) of a data set from one population will be the same for data collected from a different population.
Skill: To Formulate and Verify Predictions
Data may differ from one population to another. The term 'population' refers to all individuals or objects that are the subject of an inquiry or statistical study.
Statistics deals with the analysis of past events, while probability deals with the prediction of future events.
If two populations are similar, it is likely that the modes of the two sets of data will be the same.
Data can be used to make predictions that are not based solely on personal opinions or feelings.
Examples
- Most of the students in my class said they prefer red, and I think most of the students in the other Grade 2 class prefer red too.
- In October, it seems to have rained almost every day, and it's possible that it will rain as much in November, but I don't think it will because it's colder, which usually means it will snow.
Sources: The Ontario Curriculum, Mathematics, Grades 1-8 Ontario Ministry of Education, 2020.
Knowledge: Mode
The mode of a set of data represents the data with the highest frequency, in other words, the data that appears most often. The mode is particularly meaningful in inquiry contexts where we are trying to determine what is most popular, most sold, most frequent, etc.
Source: translated from Guide d’enseignement efficace des mathématiques, de la 4e à la 6e année, Traitement des données et probabilité, p. 108.