FSR - Data Measures Lesson
Decisions with Data
Introduction
When dealing with data, it’s helpful to interpret and analyze past statistics. You may already be familiar with terms such as the mean, the median, and the mode. They play an important part in making decisions and interpreting statistics! These terms will tell a story about your data and help you predict future trends!
Mean
Knowing the average value, or the mean of a set of data can help you make informed decisions as to what to expect in the future. Determining the average value is a good way to get an idea of how your data is balanced. For example, finding the mean salary for an entry-level position will give you a good idea of what to expect if you are offered a job. The mean is very useful!
Mean = Sum of All Values ⁄ Number of Values
Try the two practice questions below to review how to find the mean value from a set of data.
Mean Challenge Question
⭐️ Help Video:
If the last problem was challenging, here is a video that will go over the answer.
Median
The median is the value in the middle when the data is put in either ascending or descending order. A spreadsheet can be used to help put values in order.
The median car price value is $11,500.00.
Try the two practice questions below to review how to find the mean value from a set of data. Drag and drop the values in order to help find the median. Click on the checkmark to check your work. Then, click on the arrow to see the solution.
Mode
The mode is the value that appears most frequently. Try the two practice questions below to review how to find the mean value from a set of data. Click on the arrow on the bottom right to move through the questions.
The mode can be one value, more than one value, or there can be no mode.
One Value: 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 9
The mode is 4.
More than one Value: 1, 2, 4, 4, 9, 9
The mode is 4 and 9.
No Mode: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
There is no mode.
Using a Spreadsheet Program 📊
Calculating Mean, Median, and Mode in Excel
The following video will show you how to use a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, to automatically calculate the mean, median, and mode using a set of data. Take notes and attempt to follow using your own spreadsheet.
Data Measures Practice
Work through the following interactive activities to practice finding mean, median, and mode.
Judging Airlines
Problem Statement
In June, the Chicago Spanish club is going on a study abroad trip to Venezuela, and they have hired your team to help them select which airline to fly. Last year the Spanish club had a miserable experience when traveling to Barcelona. Their connecting flight to Reykjavik, Iceland was late, so they missed their next flight to Barcelona. The entire class had to stay overnight at the airport.
The club has identified five airlines with economical fares that fly from O’Hare Airport to Venezuela, but they are still in the process of identifying more airlines that fly to Venezuela. Most of the flights have a connecting flight in Mexico City. They are hoping to find the airline that has the smallest chance of departing late from O’Hare so that they are less likely to arrive late in Mexico City. They don’t want to miss their one connecting flight to Venezuela this year!
Airlines Spreadsheet Links to an external site.
Source Links to an external site.
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