Mean, Median, and Mode – Assessment

Assessment

Ask students to write individual responses to the reflection question at the end of the handout.

Review students’ responses to the questions for each of the three scenarios. Are they able to accurately calculate the mean, median, and mode for each scenario? Are their responses to the scenario questions reasonable and clearly explained? Some answers will vary and are noted in the Answer Key provided below. Accept all reasonable responses. Lead a full class discussion of each task on the handout to allow students to share their answers and explain the basis of their decisions.

Answer Key – Student Handout:

Scenario 1

Averages

  • Mean = 90.9
  • Median = 75
  • Mode = 75

Questions

1. Mode – this is the number that appears most often in the data set.

2. Mean – parents and teachers might be more supportive of a reduction of approximately 30 minutes of homework per night than they would be of a reduction of 45 minutes per night. (Answer to this may vary. If median or mode are selected, accept reasonable explanations.)

3. Median and Mode – students could explain that while the mean number of homework minutes is higher, the median (75) represents the middle value of the data set of number of minutes and the mode (also 75) represents the number of minutes most often assigned. Sharing this average without the explanation could lead parents and teachers to think that students are reporting the mean for the data set which would be misleading.

Scenario 2

Averages

  • Mean = 12.09
  • Median = 10
  • Mode = 15

Questions

1. Mode – this is the number that appears most often in the data set and in this case, the mode is five dollars higher than Lora’s current allowance.

2. Median – the median represents the middle value of the data set and is equal to the amount Lora currently receives for her allowance.

3. Answers will vary as an argument could be made for using any of the averages for this data set. Accept any reasonable response.

Scenario 3

Averages

  • Mean = 19.58
  • Median = 17.50
  • Mode = 15

Questions

1. Mode – this is the number that appears most often in the data set, reflecting what students say they are able to afford to pay for a yearbook.

2. Mean or median – arguments can be made for using either median or mode to justify a price hike for yearbooks. Accept any reasonable response.

3. Answers will vary as an argument could be made for raising yearbook prices or keeping the price the same depending on which average is used.

Ask students to share their responses to the reflection question.


Mean, Median, and Mode