Essential Question: How can you tell whether a question is a statistical question?
1 Activity: Using Data to Answer Questions
Question 1
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a. Find your pulse by counting the number of beats in 10 seconds. Have your partner keep track of the time. Write a rate to describe your result. (ex. 10 seconds/4 beats)
Question 2
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b. Complete the ratio table. What is your heart rate in beats per minute?
Question 3
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c. Collect the recorded heart rates (in beats per minute) of the people in your house, including yourself. Compare the heart rates.
Question 4
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d. MODELING Make a line plot of your data. Then answer the following questions:
Question 5
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· How many values are in your data set?
Question 6
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· Do the heart rates cluster around a particular value or values?
Question 7
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· Are there any peaks or gaps in the data?
Question 8
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· Are there any unusual heart rates that are far removed from the other values?
Question 9
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e. Reasoning How would you answer the following question by using only one value? Explain your reasoning.
“What is the heart rate of your family?"
2 Activity: Identifying Types of Questions
a. Answer each question below on your own. Then compare your answers with your Mr. Keeler's answers (in parentheses). For which questions should your answers be the same? For which questions might your answers be different?
Question 10
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1. What is your shoe size? (10 extra wide)
Question 11
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2. How many states are in the United States? (50)
Question 12
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3. How many brothers and sisters do you have? (3)
Question 13
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4. How many different people have been U.S. presidents? (44)
Question 14
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5. What is your favorite type of movie? (science fiction)
Question 15
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6. How tall are you? (72 inches)
Question 16
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b. CONJECTURE Some of the previous questions are considered statistical questions. Which ones do you think they are?
Question 17
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Why might the ones you selected be considered statistical?
3 Activity: Analyzing a Question in a Survey
“Do you prefer greasy, salty potato chips or healthy granola bars to be sold in the school’s vending machines?”
Question 18
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a. Do you think this is a fair question to ask in a survey? Explain.
Question 19
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b. LOGIC Identify the words in the question that may influence someone’s response. Then explain how you can reword the question.
Question 20
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c. How might the results of the survey differ when the student asks the original question and your reworded question in part (b)?