Comparing two distributions using average and spread
Comparing two distributions using average and spread.
- Organise the data before calculating.
- Check counts and totals, and keep units or context in your conclusion.
- Choose a typical-value measure and a spread measure that suit the data.
Example 1
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 |
| B | 11, 12, 12, 12, 13 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Example 2
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 |
| B | 12, 13, 13, 13, 14 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Your turn
Question 1Given information
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| B | 13, 14, 14, 14, 15 |
Check answer
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Question 2Given information
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 |
| B | 14, 15, 15, 15, 16 |
Check answer
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Question 3Given information
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 |
| B | 15, 16, 16, 16, 17 |
Check answer
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Question 4Given information
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 |
| B | 16, 17, 17, 17, 18 |
Check answer
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Question 5Given information
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 |
| B | 17, 18, 18, 18, 19 |
Check answer
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| B | 13, 14, 14, 14, 15 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 |
| B | 14, 15, 15, 15, 16 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 |
| B | 15, 16, 16, 16, 17 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 |
| B | 16, 17, 17, 17, 18 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.
Compare the typical values and consistency of A and
| Group | Values |
|---|---|
| A | 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 |
| B | 17, 18, 18, 18, 19 |
Median A
Median B
Range A
Range B
B has a higher median and a smaller range, so its values are typically higher and more consistent.