Examining Effects of Outliers on Measures of Central Tendency

This 10-page document contains 3 real-life data sets. For each data set, students are guided through an exploration of how outliers in data affect mean, median, mode, and range. Each data set requires students to perform calculations and analyze data. Students will make conjectures and justify them in writing using mathematical reasoning and evidence.

At the end of the activity, students are asked several concluding questions that require them to analyze and evaluate their work. They focus on the big ideas learned during the activity. I've included these questions here for your review:

Concluding Questions:

Now that you have examined three sets of data you are ready to make some general conclusions. Answer each question in complete sentences and justify your answer by referring back to calculations you made with the data sets.

1) When there is an outlier in a data set, how is the value of the mean affected? How is the value of the median affected? Does the outlier have a greater affect on the mean or the median? Remember to justify your answer with examples from your calculations.

2) You want to accurately represent a typical number in a data set. If there is an outlier in the data, which measure of central tendency (mean or median) should you use to represent the data?

3) When there is an outlier in the data, how is the value of the range affected? Explain.

This activity is aligned with common core standards 6.SP.A.2, 6.SP.A.3, 6.SP.B.5.C, and 6.SP.B.5.D.

See the preview for ideas for use in the classroom!


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CCSS 6.SP.3 and 6.SP.5c Measures of Central Tendency Group Activity

CCSS 6.SP.3 Choosing Best Measure of Central Tendency

CCSS 6.SP.5c Mean and Outliers

CCSS 6.SP.3c Using Mean to Solve Real-life Problems

CCSS 6.SP.3 6.SP.5c Measures of Central Tendency Practice


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