Identifying Statistical Questions is a grade 6 math skill aligned to Common Core standard 6.SP.A.1: recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question and accounts for it in the answers. Below are 7 practice questions with answers and step-by-step explanations, drawn from the 9 identifying statistical questions problems our math games drill.
A student is writing questions about trees. Which of these is a statistical question?
A statistical question anticipates variability: many people or things can give different answers. "How tall are the trees in the park?" asks about many trees, so the heights can differ. It is a statistical question.
A student is writing questions about trees. Which of these is NOT a statistical question?
A statistical question anticipates variability: many people or things can give different answers. "How tall is this specific tree?" names one tree, so it has one answer. It is not a statistical question.
A student is writing questions about pets. Which of these is a statistical question?
A statistical question anticipates variability: many people or things can give different answers. "How many pets does each family on my street own?" asks about many families, so the numbers can differ. It is a statistical question.
Which of these is NOT a statistical question?
A statistical question anticipates variability: many people or things can give different answers. "How many pets does my family own?" asks about one family, so it has one answer. It is not a statistical question.
Mia writes three survey questions:
• How many minutes do students in my class spend on homework?
• How many minutes did I spend on homework last night?
• How tall are the players on my team?
How many of the three are statistical questions?
A statistical question anticipates variability. Asking how many minutes students spend on homework, and how tall the players are, both ask about a group, so the answers can differ. Asking how many minutes I spent last night asks about one person on one night, so it has one answer. That makes statistical questions.
Jaden lists four questions:
• What is my dog's weight?
• How much do the dogs at the animal shelter weigh?
• How old is my teacher?
• How tall is my desk?
How many of the four are statistical questions?
A statistical question anticipates variability. Asking how much the dogs at the animal shelter weigh asks about a group, so the weights can differ. Asking about one dog, one teacher, or one desk has a single answer. That makes statistical question.
Coach Rivera brainstorms four questions:
• How many push-ups can each player on my team do?
• How many push-ups did the team captain do today?
• How many sit-ups can each player on my team do?
• How many laps can each player on my team run?
How many of the four are statistical questions?
A statistical question anticipates variability. Asking how many push-ups, sit-ups, or laps each player can do asks about every player, so the answers can differ from player to player. Asking how many push-ups the team captain did today asks about one person on one day, so it has one answer. That makes statistical questions.
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