Lesson 5

Using Dot Plots to Answer Statistical Questions

In this lesson, students continue to use dot plots to develop their understanding of center and spread—by identifying values of center, describing 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). In future lessons, they will make their descriptions and analyses more precise, as they learn about measures of center and spread.

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.

I can use a dot plot to represent the distribution of a data set and answer questions about the real-world situation.
I can use center and spread to describe data sets, including what is typical in a data set.

Building On

6.SP.B.4

Addressing

Building Towards

center

The center of a set of numerical data is a value in the middle of the distribution. It represents a typical value for the data set.

For example, the center of this distribution of cat weights is between 4.5 and 5 kilograms.
spread

The spread of a set of numerical data tells how far apart the values are.

For example, the dot plots show that the travel times for students in South Africa are more spread out than for New Zealand.