Unit 8, Lesson 5
Using Dot Plots to Answer Statistical Questions
Grade 6
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
In this lesson, students continue to use dot plots to develop their understanding of center and spread by informally identifying values to describe the center and spread, comparing centers and spreads of different distributions, and making use of the structure of the distributions (MP7) to understand them in the context of situations (MP2).
- Compare and contrast (orally and in writing) dot plots that represent two different data sets measuring the same quantity, paying attention to the “center” and “spread” of each distribution.
- Critique or justify (orally and in writing) claims about the center of a distribution represented on a dot plot.
Let's use dot plots to describe distributions and answer questions.
Required Preparation
None
The center of a data set is a value in the middle. It represents a typical value for the data set.
The center of this data set is between 4.5 and 5 kilograms. So a typical cat in this group weighs between 4.5 and 5 kilograms.
The spread of a set of data tells how far apart the values are.
These dot plots show that the travel times for students in South Africa are more spread out than for students in New Zealand.