AP Bio Summer Math Practice

AP Biology Summer

Math Review

IAHS Summer 2023

Clark

What type of math is used in AP Bio?

Graphing, statistics, and geometry!

Graphing is a HUGE part of AP Bio, so much so that there is a separate practice lesson all about it! Go find that on Google Classroom if you haven't tried it yet :-)

Statistics is an incredibly important part of all scientific exploration since it is used to evaluate the accuracy and validity of data from experiments, which can then be used to justify how strong your hypothesis is or not.

Geometry is used in AP Biology to approximate the surface area and volume of different biological shapes, including cells.

Statistics deals with evaluating and analyzing sets of numbers, called data. Basic statistical calculations include finding the mean, median, mode, and range of a set of data.

Statistics

​This table shows data for multiple different trials of an experiment which measures the relationship between time (weeks) and the total grass height (inches).

​Basic Statistics

In AP Biology, there is a formula sheet you can use every day, on every exam, including the real AP Exam! It has many important formulas you can reference and use, but you still need to know how to use them properly. It even explains many basic statistics calculations (see below). Watch the video on the next slide for more info!

Math Response

You may need a calculator or piece of scratch paper for the next few slides!

For the set of data shown in the table, what is the mean/average yield (in kg) of the 4 plots? Your answer should only include numbers, no need for units.

Type answer here

Correct Answer: 121.75

Deg^°

Rad

Math Response

For the same set of data shown in the table, what is the range of temperature (in C) of the 4 plots? Your answer should only include numbers, no need for units.

Type answer here

Correct Answer: 11

Deg^°

Rad

Multiple Choice

NEW DATA TABLE ALERT

For the transmittance data for Trial #2, what is the mode? Make sure to pay attention to units!

• 0 %

• 100.05 %T

• 115.40 %T

• 6 %

Multiple Choice

For the transmittance data for the 15% salt concentration, what is the median? Make sure to pay attention to units!

• 66.03 %T

• 115.40 %T

• 15 %

• 55.38

Slightly More Advanced Statistics

In science, for a theory or hypothesis to be considered "true", an experiment evaluating the theory should be able to be repeated many times over and over again with the same/similar results. Ideally, data from experimental results have little variability, meaning they are all around the same value. The less variability in your data, the more reliable it is considered to be. Variability can be considered a measure of accuracy and precision.

We measure variability using the standard deviation and standard error of the mean.

Slightly More Advanced Statistics

Standard deviation and standard error are both measuring the variability in data sets.

Standard deviation measures the variation withing one single set of data, where as standard error of the mean measures the compared variation across multiple categories of data.

You will occasionally have to calculate these values, but more than anything you need to understand what they mean and how they can be used to analyze sets of data.

Drag and Drop

Consider the points on the target to be a set of data. For the target on the left, the standard deviation and standard error would be ​

Placeholder

while the standard deviation and standard error for the target on the right would be ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

higher

lower

In AP Biology, calculating surface area and volume are primarily used to find the dimensions of biological shapes, mostly cells.

Smaller cells have a better ratio of surface area to volume, which allows for more efficient transfer of nutrients.

Surface Area and Volume

Math Response

Some animal cells are round and sphere-like. A skin cell has a radius of approximately 15 micrometers (μm). Calculate the approximate surface area of a skin cell membrane, in μm².

Type answer here

Correct Answer: 900\pi

Deg^°

Rad

This has been your Introduction to Statistics and Geometry in AP Biology!

Please complete the poll on the next slide :-)

Poll

How helpful was this lesson in reviewing statistics and geometry for AP Bio?

• Literally useless why did I do this

• I guess it was something to fill my time

• I learned a few things!

• I feel more prepared than when I started!

• Absolutely amazing, I am ready to graph in AP Bio!

Open Ended

What questions do you still have about statistics and geometry in AP Bio?