Mean Absolute Deviation in Data Sets

This lesson covers the use of mean and mean absolute deviation (MAD) to analyze and compare data sets. It includes a comparison of basketball players' scores, an analysis of an eighth grader's performance, and a historical look at the ages of US swimming team members. The lesson concludes with a homework discussion on these concepts.

What is the primary focus of Math 6 Unit 8 Lesson 12?

• Exploring geometric shapes

• Understanding fractions

• Learning about algebraic expressions

• Using mean and mean absolute deviation for comparisons

Why is Noah considered a better choice for the basketball team?

• He has a higher mean score

• He has a lower mean absolute deviation

• He scored more baskets than Andre

• He is taller than Andre

What does a mean absolute deviation of 1 indicate about the eighth-grade student's scores?

• The scores are all below the mean

• The scores are all above the mean

• The scores are consistent around the mean

• The scores are highly variable

How did the average age of swimmers change from 1984 to 2016?

• It remained the same

• It increased by 4.6 years

• It fluctuated significantly

• It decreased by 4.6 years

What does the mean absolute deviation tell us about the swimmers' ages in 1984 compared to 2016?

• The ages were more spread out in 2016

• The ages were more consistent in 1984

• The ages were more spread out in 1984

• The ages were the same in both years

What does a smaller mean absolute deviation indicate about a data set?

• The data points are closer to the mean

• The data set has more outliers

• The data points are more spread out

• The data set has a higher mean

In the context of the basketball teams, what does a smaller mean absolute deviation suggest?

• The team scores are more consistent

• The team scores are higher

• The team scores are lower

• The team has more wins

What can be inferred if two data sets have the same mean absolute deviation but different means?

• They have different variability

• They have the same variability

• They have the same mean

• They have different data points

What does a greater mean absolute deviation indicate about the travel times of students?

• The travel times are more consistent

• The travel times are more spread out

• The travel times are shorter

• The travel times are longer

Why might a student choose a team with a smaller mean absolute deviation?

• The team has more consistent performance

• The team has fewer losses

• The team has more players

• The team has a higher average score