Mathematics Activity Grade 6 Data Management and Probability by:

Arthur Adamski
Specific Expectation: Demonstrate an understanding of mean (e.g. mean differs
from median and mode because it is a value that balances a set of data like the
centre point or fulcrum in a lever), and use the mean to compare two sets of related
data, with and without the use of technology (Sample problem: Use the mean to
compare the masses of backpacks of students from two or more Grade 6 classes).
Students are expected to know to compare similarities and differences between
two sets of data, using a variety of strategies (e.g., by representing the data using
tally charts, stem-and-leaf plots, etc.).
Achievement Chart:
Students will construct understanding between the concepts of mean, median,
mode, and range while working with manipulatives. They will have to demonstrate
thorough understanding of these concepts by applying their knowledge of these
measures of central tendencies to real-life scenarios by comparing two sets of
data. Students will begin to make connections between mathematics and the real
world and will discuss and defend their reasoning for their answers through oral and
written forms.
Mode, Median, Mean, and Range
Mean, median, and mode are three kinds of "averages". There are many "averages"
in statistics, but these are, I think, the three most common, and are certainly the
three you are most likely to encounter in your pre-statistics courses, if the topic
comes up at all.
The "mean" is the "average" you're used to, where you add up all the numbers and
then divide by the number of numbers. The "median" is the "middle" value in the
list of numbers. To find the median, your numbers have to be listed in numerical
order, so you may have to rewrite your list first. The "mode" is the value that occurs
most often. If no number is repeated, then there is no mode for the list.
The difference between the lowest and highest values. In {4, 6, 9, 3, 7} the lowest
value is 3, and the highest is 9, so the range is 9 3 = 6. Range can also mean all
the output values of a function.
Resource: https://www.purplemath.com/modules/meanmode.htm

ACTIVITY:
Investigate Mean, Mode and Median with Manipulatives
Supplies: dried spaghetti or string licorice, or string (use paper towels if you are
using string licorice which the students will want to eat)
Directions for set up: Hand out 4 pieces of dried spaghetti (or 3 strings of
licorice, or about 30" of string)

No measuring devices are to be used for this activity.

Ask the students to tear each string of licorice into 4 pieces of varying lengths.
Each student should now have 12 items.
Arrange the 12 pieces side-by-side from shortest to longest.
Directions for work up:
Ask the students to determine if their set of pieces has a mode. They should be
ready to explain how they made their decision.
Ask the students to determine the median. Students should explain how this
determination was made.
Discuss whether it is possible to determine the mean without using measurements.
Complete the worksheet of questions on mean, median, and mode.
Resource: http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/math/algebra/ad2/Tmean.htm

Consolidation Exercise:
The number of minutes spent exercising per day for 10 days is recorded for
two people who have just signed up for a new gym membership.
Person A: 45, 50, 50, 55, 55, 60, 60, 65, 65, 65
Person B: 20, 30, 45, 55, 60, 60, 65, 70, 70, 70
(a) Calculate the mean, median, and mode for Person A
mode =
median =
mean =
(b) Calculate the mean, median, mode and range for Person B
mode =
median =
mean =
(c) Which person is the most consistent with their exercise?

(d) Which statistical measure supports your answer to part (c)?

(e) Which person seems to train more overall?

(f) Which statistical measure(s) supports your answer to (e)?

Resource: https://mathspace.co/learn/world-of-maths/univariatedata/comparing-data-34029/comparing-data-1244/

Consolidation Exercise: Answers

a)
b)
c)
d)

Person A: Mode 65, Median - 57.5, Mean 57, Range - 20

Person B: Mode 70, Median 60, Mean 54.5, Range 50
Person A
The range. The smaller range for Person A indicates that the number of
minutes they exercise each day is more consistent than that of Person
B.

The range for Person B is more than double that of Person A, indicating
more inconsistency in their exercise routine.
e) Person B
f) The mode and median for Person B are both larger than for Person A.
While the mean for Person B is slightly lower than Person A, this is due
to the negative skew of their data.
Overall, the larger mode and median for Person B indicates that they
exercise for longer overall.