Unit 8, Lesson 8
Larger Populations
Accelerated 6
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
This lesson introduces the idea of using data from a sample of a population when it is impractical or impossible to gather data from every individual in the populations under study. A population includes all the individuals related to a question, and a sample is a part of the population. Students consider how information from students in their class might apply to larger populations, then identify possible samples from populations given a statistical question (MP3). They must also make sense of a problem in which the population is too large to collect data from and are led to solve the problem using samples (MP1).
- Comprehend the terms “population” and “sample” (in spoken and written language) to refer to the whole group and a part of the group under consideration.
- Describe (orally and in writing) a sample for a given population.
- Explain (orally) that a sample may be used when it is unreasonable to gather data about an entire population.
Let’s compare larger groups.
Required Preparation
Compute the mean and MAD for the lengths of the preferred names of students in the class. (If students do not go by their first name, use their nickname, middle name or whatever they prefer to be called.) Do the same for the last names of students in the class.