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MassachusettsMaths

Statistics and Probability

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you interpret statistics critically and avoid common data traps on the MCAS?

Interpret statistics in context, judge whether a measure or claim is appropriate, recognize misleading displays and biased samples, and reason about how outliers affect summaries.
A Grade 10 Math MCAS answer on interpreting statistics critically: choosing the right measure, spotting misleading graphs and biased samples, judging claims, and reasoning about the effect of outliers on the mean and median.
9 min answer →

How do you use a line of best fit to make predictions, and what does correlation tell you?

Fit and interpret a linear model for bivariate data, use the line of best fit to predict and to interpret slope and intercept in context, and distinguish correlation from causation.
A Grade 10 Math MCAS answer on linear regression: the line of best fit, interpreting its slope and intercept in context, making predictions, the correlation coefficient, and why correlation does not imply causation.
9 min answer →

How do you summarize a single data set with center, spread, and shape on the MCAS?

Compute and interpret measures of center (mean, median) and spread (range, interquartile range), read box plots and histograms, and describe the shape of a distribution.
A Grade 10 Math MCAS answer on summarizing one-variable data: mean and median, range and interquartile range, reading box plots and histograms, and describing the shape of a distribution including skew and outliers.
9 min answer →

How do you compute probabilities of single and combined events on the MCAS?

Compute theoretical and experimental probabilities, apply the addition rule for either-or events and the multiplication rule for independent events, and find complements.
A Grade 10 Math MCAS answer on probability: theoretical versus experimental probability, the complement rule, the addition rule for either-or events, and the multiplication rule for independent events.
9 min answer →

How do you read a scatterplot and describe the association between two variables on the MCAS?

Read scatterplots, describe the form, direction, and strength of an association, identify clusters and outliers, and interpret two-way frequency tables.
A Grade 10 Math MCAS answer on two-variable data: reading scatterplots, describing form, direction, and strength of association, spotting clusters and outliers, and interpreting two-way frequency tables.
9 min answer →