Learn on PengienVision, Mathematics, Grade 6Chapter 8: Display, Describe, and Summarize Data

Lesson 1: Recognize Statistical Questions

In this Grade 6 enVision Mathematics lesson from Chapter 8, students learn to identify statistical questions — questions that anticipate variability in the data collected — and distinguish them from questions with a single fixed answer. Students practice writing their own statistical questions, interpreting dot plots and frequency tables, and explaining their reasoning using real-world contexts like homework time and class surveys. The lesson builds foundational data literacy skills that prepare students for summarizing and analyzing data sets throughout the chapter.

Section 1

What is a Statistical Question?

Property

A statistical question is one that can be answered by collecting data from multiple sources and expects variability in the responses. Statistical questions cannot be answered with a single value or predetermined fact.

Examples

Section 2

Statistical Questions with Categorical Answers

Property

A statistical question can have non-numerical answers, such as ''Yes'' or ''No''. The question is statistical as long as you expect to get a variety of answers when you ask a group of people.

Examples

  • Is "Do you own a pet?" a statistical question? Yes, because asking a group of people will result in a variety of ''Yes'' and ''No'' answers.
  • Is "What is your favorite color?" a statistical question? Yes, because you anticipate different people will have different favorite colors (e.g., blue, red, green).
  • Is "Is the school mascot a tiger?" a statistical question? No, this is a question with a single correct answer (either it is or it isn''t), so there is no variability in the data.

Explanation

A statistical question is one that anticipates variability in the data collected. This variability can exist even when the answers are categories rather than numbers. For example, a ''Yes/No'' question asked to a group of people is statistical because you don''t expect everyone to give the same answer. The key is that the answer can change from one individual to the next.

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

Expand

Section 1

What is a Statistical Question?

Property

A statistical question is one that can be answered by collecting data from multiple sources and expects variability in the responses. Statistical questions cannot be answered with a single value or predetermined fact.

Examples

Section 2

Statistical Questions with Categorical Answers

Property

A statistical question can have non-numerical answers, such as ''Yes'' or ''No''. The question is statistical as long as you expect to get a variety of answers when you ask a group of people.

Examples

  • Is "Do you own a pet?" a statistical question? Yes, because asking a group of people will result in a variety of ''Yes'' and ''No'' answers.
  • Is "What is your favorite color?" a statistical question? Yes, because you anticipate different people will have different favorite colors (e.g., blue, red, green).
  • Is "Is the school mascot a tiger?" a statistical question? No, this is a question with a single correct answer (either it is or it isn''t), so there is no variability in the data.

Explanation

A statistical question is one that anticipates variability in the data collected. This variability can exist even when the answers are categories rather than numbers. For example, a ''Yes/No'' question asked to a group of people is statistical because you don''t expect everyone to give the same answer. The key is that the answer can change from one individual to the next.