Data Literacy Project

Mini-lesson 1:

Think statistically and

Ask statistical questions

1

1. How long is this fish?

0 2 4 6 8 cm

Answer:

FISH

2. How long are the fish in this river?

Answer:

3. What was the maximum wind speed for hurricane Katrina?

Answer:

YearSeasonal

orderName

Duration days

Max wind

speed (knots)

Min sea level

pressure (mb)

Deaths

2005 12 Katrina 8 150 902 1833

HURRICANES

Answer:

4. How would you describe the wind speed for the hurricanes in the 2005 hurricane season?

Background: The U.S. EPA rates every vehicle sold in the US for its gas mileage in city driving, on the open highway, and a combined city-highway rating. Ratings are in miles per gallon (mpg).

Answer:

5. What is the EPA combined mileage rating for the 2011 Bugatti Veyron?

Make Model Year Highway (mpg)

City (mpg) Combined (mpg)

Bugatti Veyron 2011 15 8 10

GAS MILEAGE

6. Based on the following sample, how variable is the EPA highway mileage rating for sport cars?

Make Model Year City (mpg)

Highway (mpg)

Combined (mpg)

Bugatti Veyron 2011 8 15 10

Audi TT Roadster quattro

2011 22 31 23

Honda CR-Z 2011 31 37 34

Mini-Cooper Works 2011 25 33 28

Mazda 3 2011 22 29 25

Jaguar XJ 2011 16 23 19

For each of the three situations (fish, hurricanes, and car mileages), how are the first and second questions different?

Which of the two questions provides the most insight into fish, hurricanes, and car mileages in general? (Why?)

Scientists and engineers make observations and collect data with a question in mind.

They collect data from more than one example – from as many examples as is feasible. When measuring many examples, scientists and engineers expect that the data they collect will vary.

When answering their question, they have to come to understand why the data vary.

Three important ideas: