Grade 6 · Statistics & probability

Statistical questions and distributions practice

Statistical questions and distributions 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 8 practice questions with answers and step-by-step explanations, drawn from the 21 statistical questions and distributions problems our math games drill.

CCSS 6.SP.A.121 questions in the bank
Sample questions

Try 8 for free

Question 1easy

A class answered the statistical question "How many pages did you read this week?" The answers were 12,15,15,18,20,1512, 15, 15, 18, 20, 15. How many students answered 1515?

Count how many times 1515 appears in the list: it appears 33 times, so 33 students answered 1515.

Question 2easy

Is this a statistical question (one that anticipates variability in the data)? "How old are the students in my class?"

It is a statistical question because it anticipates variability in the answers.

Question 3easy

Every member of a club answered the same statistical question. The recorded data values are 4,7,7,9,10,12,134, 7, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13. How many data values are in the data set?

Count every value in the list, including repeats: 4,7,7,9,10,12,134, 7, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 is 77 values.

Question 4easy

Is this a statistical question (one that anticipates variability in the data)? "How old am I?"

It is not statistical: it has a single answer with no variability.

Question 5easy

Students answered the statistical question "How many books did you read this summer?" The data are 2,5,6,92, 5, 6, 9. What is the range of the data?

Range is the greatest value minus the least value: 9−2=79 - 2 = 7.

Question 6easy

Is this a statistical question (one that anticipates variability in the data)? "How tall are the trees in the park?"

It is a statistical question because it anticipates variability in the answers.

Question 7easy

The statistical question "How many minutes is your ride to school?" produced the data 3,8,10,153, 8, 10, 15. What is the range of the data?

Range is the greatest value minus the least value: 15−3=1215 - 3 = 12.

Question 8easy

Is this a statistical question (one that anticipates variability in the data)? "How tall is this specific tree?"

It is not statistical: it has a single answer with no variability.

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Math games for Grade 6

Questions like these are served inside our head-to-head math games.

Blaster Gate gameBlaster GateBlast through the wall. First to clear wins.Blitz Tanks gameBlitz TanksSolve math to load shells. Out-think the battalion. Last math standing wins.Bullseye Blitz gameBullseye BlitzAnswer true, loose your arrow — string a streak and shoot fire.Slam Streak gameSlam StreakAnswer to sink the shot — build a streak and catch fire.
Tests that cover statistical questions and distributions:
SBACACT Aspirei-ReadyVTCAPNC EOG/EOC
More Grade 6 skills:
Multiplying and dividing fractionsPerfect squares and cubesDecimal operationsFraction-decimal-percent conversionMeasures of center and variabilityOrder of operationsAbsolute valueArea formulas (triangle, parallelogram, trapezoid)All Grade 6 practice →

Drill it inside a game.

The free placement test finds your level, then every match serves statistical questions and distributions questions at exactly the right difficulty.