D2.2 Make and test predictions about the likelihood that the mean, median, and mode(s) of a data set will be the same for data collected from different populations.
Activity 1: Making and Testing Predictions with a Different Population
Share the following scenario with the class :
Twenty-one students in Grade 1 were asked "How many books did you read during the month of February?". The following are the mode, mean, and median to the responses.
Mode: 12 books
Mean: 11 books
Median: 12 books
Ask students to make predictions about the likelihood that the mean, median, and mode will be the same for students in Grade 6. Have students test their predictions by collecting data from 21 students in Grade 6 and determine the mode, mean, and median. Next they can compare the measures of central tendency to confirm or disconfirm their predictions.
Activity 2: Making and Testing Predictions with Two Different Populations
Present students with the following situation.
Ms. Lozano surveyed her students in Grade 4 to find out how many minutes they spend on electronic devices. According to the results, they spend an average of eight hours per week on their electronic devices, with a median of six hours for the group.
Ask students to make predictions about the likelihood that the mean and median will be the same if the data was collected from a group of students in Grade 1 and then from a group in Grade 6.
Invite students to validate their predictions by collecting data from both groups of students. Have them compare the results to their predictions.