Recognize Statistical Questions 

Introduction: 

In this chapter, we will learn to recognize statistical questions, use data and identify a statistical question with multiple answers and identify a statistical question with two answers. 

8.1.1 Recognize a statistical question 

Example 1: 

Ms. William wrote a question on the board. Then she collected student responses to the question and recorded them in a tally chart. What question could she have asked? Is there more than one possible response to the question? Explain. 

Solution: 

Ms. William  would have asked, “How many books did you read last week?”  

This is a statistical question because it has a range of responses, which you can see in the tally chart. 

We can display the answers to Ms. William ’s question in a bar graph. 

Example 2: 

Mrs. Joyce asked her class of 20 pupil a question and recorded the responses in a tally chart. What question could she have asked? Is there more than one possible response to the question? Explain. 

Solution: 

Mrs. Joyce would have asked, “What is your favourite type of movie?”  

This is a statistical question because it has a range of responses, which you can see in the tally chart. 

We can display the answers to Mrs. Joyce’s question in a bar graph. 

8.1.2 Use data to identify a statistical question with multiple answers 

Dot plot: 

A dot plot can be used to display the answers to a statistical question. 

Example 1: 

What statistical question could have been asked to collect the data shown in the dot plot? 

Solution: 

The dot plot shows the number of minutes different students spent on homework. The statistical question that could have asked is “How many minutes did you spend on homework yesterday?”  

Example 2: 

What statistical question could have been asked to collect the data shown in the dot plot? 

Solution: 

The dot plot shows the number of minutes different students spend on eating breakfast. The statistical question that could have asked is “How many minutes did you take to eat your breakfast?”  

8.1.3 Use data to identify a statistical question with two answers 

Example 1: 

Mrs. Carolyn asked her students to express their opinion on mathematics. The frequency table shows the results. What question did Mrs. Carolyn likely ask? Is this a statistical question? 

Solution: 

Mrs. Carolyn likely asked a question such as “Do you like math?” There are only two answers, Yes or No. Because there is more than one possible answer, this is a statistical question. 

Concept Map: 

Exercise:

1. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not In which months are the birthdays of everyone in your class?
2. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not Does Sue wear glasses?
3. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not Who is the current president of the United States?
4. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not How tall are the students in Grade?
5. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not What is the least populated state?
6. Determine whether the below given question is statistical question or not How many fish are in the pond?
7. Mr. Borden asked his students, “How far from school do you live?” Is his question a statistical question? Explain.
8. Kim asked her classmates, “How many siblings do you have?” She collected the following responses:
   0, 1, 2, 1, 2, 0, 3, 1, 0, 5, 5, 1, 3, 1, 0, 2, 4, 1, 3, 0.
   Make a dot plot to display the data.
9. Ms. Miller asks parents, “Do you support switching to a new lunch vendor for our school program?” How many different responses could she get? Is this a statistical question?
10. What statistical question could have been asked to collect the data shown in the dot plot?

What have we learned:

• Recognize a statistical question for the given data/tally chart.
• Identify a statistical question with multiple answers for the given data.
• Identify a statistical question with two answers for the given data.