MA32-06 Maths Coming soon
Comparing distributions with box plots
This lesson is coming soon.
In this lesson
Compare two distributions using matching summary statistics from their box plots, correctly stating that a larger interquartile range means more variable (less consistent) data, and extend a sample comparison to describe a population.
What it covers
- Compare two box plots using matching (like-for-like) summary values - median vs median, IQR vs IQR
- Correctly interpret a larger IQR as MORE variable / LESS consistent data
- Give a quantified correction (a specific value), not a vague statement, when identifying an error in a box plot
- Extend a comparison to describe a wider population using the same like-for-like summary values
Key words
For: AQA GCSE 8300, Edexcel GCSE 1MA1, Eduqas GCSE C300, OCR GCSE J560, Cambridge IGCSE 0580
On the specification
| Board | Spec | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE 8300 | S4 | • including box plots |
| AQA GCSE 8300 | S5 | Apply statistics to describe a population |
| Edexcel GCSE 1MA1 | S4 | interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of data sets from univariate empirical distributions through: • appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data • appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outliers) |
| Edexcel GCSE 1MA1 | S5 | Apply statistics to describe a population |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | HS5 | Interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of data sets from univariate empirical distributions through: appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data, including box plots; appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outliers, quartiles and inter-quartile range) |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | FS5 | Apply statistics to describe a population |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | HS6 | Apply statistics to describe a population |
| OCR GCSE J560 | 12.03a | Calculate the mean, mode, median and range for ungrouped data. Find the modal class, and calculate estimates of the range, mean and median for grouped data, and understand why they are estimates. Describe a population using statistics. Make simple comparisons. Compare data sets using `like for like' summary values. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of summary values. |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | C9.2 | Read, interpret and draw inferences from tables and statistical diagrams. |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | E9.2 | Read, interpret and draw inferences from tables and statistical diagrams. |
For teachers
This GCSE Maths lesson teaches comparing distributions with box plots. By the end, students should be able to compare two distributions using matching summary statistics from their box plots, correctly stating that a larger interquartile range means more variable (less consistent) data, and extend a sample comparison to describe a population. It works through two worked examples and the mistakes examiners report.