Summarize Data Using Measures of Variability

A number that represents how much the values in a data set vary.

• Variable

• Measure of Variability

• Measure of Center

• Range

The average distance between each data value and the mean.

• range

• mean

• median absolute deviation

• mean absolute deviation

The difference between the third quartile and the first quartile of a data set.

• first quartile range

• interquartile range

• outerquartile range

• third quartile range

If the outliers are removed, which would be more likely to change significantly: the mean or the median? Is the standard deviation or interquartile range more likely to change significantly? Explain your reasoning.

Tags

HSS-ID.A.2

HSS-ID.A.3

Which of the following is a measure of variability?

• Range

• Median

• Mode

• Mean

• Dot Plot

The heights, in feet, of random samples of trees from three forests are shown.

Move each measure into the table to identify which forest is expected to have the greatest measure of center and which forest is expected to have the greatest measure of variability based on the samples.

a

b

c

-

greatest measure of center

greatest variability

What is the appropriate measure of variability for the data set?

• Range, because there is not an outlier

• IQR, because there is not an outlier

• Range, because there is an outlier

• IQR, because there is an outlier

Which Dot Plot has the most variation in its data?

• Lahnston

• Zoslow

The data shown in the line plot is ​ (a)   , therefore the ​ (b)   would be the best measure of variability.

• skewed

• symmetrical

• interquartile range

• range

Look at the image above. Which measure of variability should you use?

• Mean

• MAD

• IQR

• Median