Extensions

In this extension, you will add more data to your spreadsheet to determine how or if the mode, median, or mean changes.

If you add more data points to your data set, the mode, median, or mean will probably change simply because there are now more numbers in the list.

Generally speaking, a larger data set produces a more accurate mode, median, or mean.

For example, a teacher will get more reliable data if they use test scores from the entire class, rather than just five students.

To see how the mode, median or mean changes with more data, first duplicate your spreadsheet and rename the new tab.

Delete your data in the new sheet.

Next, open the starter data set linked next to this video in another tab.

Add two more weeks of temperatures from the starter data set or use data your teacher assigns you.

If you are finding a new mode or median, add the rows you just created to your sorted columns.

Finally, use the mode, median, or average functions to calculate new answers.

Compare the answers between your spreadsheets now that the data set is larger.

Now, it’s your turn: Duplicate your spreadsheet and rename the tab, Add more data to your spreadsheet, Sort the spreadsheet if you are finding the mode or median, And determine the new mode, median, or mean by using functions.

In this extension, you will poll at least fifteen people to get a different data set.

You will enter the data in your spreadsheet, sort it, and determine the mode, median, or mean.

To begin, add a new sheet to your spreadsheet Now, think of something you can poll at least fifteen people about where they would give a number as an answer.

Your might ask them: What is your height in inches?

How many pets do you have?

Or how many siblings do you have?

You can poll members of your class, family members, or any other people you know, but don’t spend too much time polling.

You want to gather the data quickly so you can analyze it in the time allowed.

Next, rename the new sheet with the question you will be asking them.

Make headers for the columns to label your data.

In the first column, record the names of the people you polled.

Record the answer each person gave in the next column.

If you are finding the mode or median, sort the spreadsheet by the column you want to use.

Finally, use the mode, median, or average functions to calculate new answers.

Now, it’s your turn: Add a new sheet and rename the tab, Poll at least fifteen people to get a different data set, Make headers for your spreadsheet and enter data, Sort the spreadsheet if you are finding the mode or median, And determine the new mode, median, or mean by using functions.

In this extension, you will create a bar graph in your spreadsheet to visualize the mode of your data set.

If you did not find the mode in the original lesson, choose a different extension or watch the video that describes how to find it.

A bar graph uses bars to visually show comparisons between data.

Bar graphs can be effective when you want to give a general idea of which values you have the most or least of in your data set and which values occur around the same number of times.

A bar graph can have vertical bars, or horizontal ones.

To begin, go to the spreadsheet you created in the main lesson and select the cells containing the data you want to use in your graph.

Open the Chart Editor window and choose the bar graph template you would like to use.

Customize your graph however you would like.

You can: Change the look of the title, Add a subtitle, Style your chart, And change the color of the bars themselves.

After the graph looks the way you want it, move it to where you would like on the spreadsheet.

Be sure it doesn’t hide your original data set.

Great! Now compare the data set with your bar graph.

In this example, the three bars that are the same length represent the mode.

Now, it’s your turn: Select the cells you want to use in your bar graph, Select and insert a bar graph template, Change the look of the graph, And compare the data set with your bar graph.

In this extension, you will create a line graph in your spreadsheet to visualize the median of your data set.

If you did not find the median in the original lesson, choose a different extension or watch the video that describes how to find it.

A line graph uses points on a line to track changes over a period of time.

You might use a line graph to track quiz grades or how the temperature changes over a month.

Creating a line graph can also help you see the median, or middle point, of your data set in a visual way, in addition to within the spreadsheet.

To begin, go to the spreadsheet you created in the main lesson and select the cells that contain the data you want to use in your graph.

Include the header.

Open the Chart Editor window and choose the line graph template you would like to use.

Click on the line to see each point, And customize your graph however you would like.

You can: Change the look of the title, Add a subtitle, Style your chart, Change the color and thickness of the line itself, And make the point size bigger.

After the graph looks the way you want it, move it to where you would like on the spreadsheet.

Be sure it doesn’t hide your original data set.

Great! Now compare the data set with your line graph.

Whatever you calculated the median to be originally will be the center point of your graph and will have the same number of points before it as it does after.

Now, it’s your turn: Select the cells you want to include in your line graph, including the header, Select and insert a line graph template, Change the look of the graph, And compare the data set with your line graph.

In this extension, you will determine how the mean is affected when you add a number that is much larger or smaller than the rest of the numbers.

If you did not find the mean in the original lesson, choose a different extension or watch the video that describes how to find it.

A number that is much larger or smaller than the rest of the data set is called an outlier.

These unusual members of the set are sometimes dropped from statistical studies because they may skew the result so heavily.

These numbers usually affect the mean much more than the median or mode.

To begin seeing what effect an outlier has on the mean, duplicate your spreadsheet from the main lesson.

Then, select a cell to change.

Make the number much bigger than the rest of your data set and see how that changes the mean.

Keep in mind, though, that the data should still make sense.

For example, you wouldn’t want to change a data point to 182 when you’re referring to normal Fahrenheit temperatures.

Next, compare how the outlier changed the mean, or average.

In this example, the average temperature is now almost four degrees warmer than it was before.

Finally, change the same cell to a much smaller number, And compare the means.

Now, it’s your turn: Change one of the numbers in your data set to be much larger than the rest of the numbers, Compare the means, Change the same number to be much smaller, And compare the means again.