Averages and Spread Calculating MEAN, MODE, MEDIAN, RANGE ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
Difficulties Need to remember – Definitions – Calculations – Context ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
Strategies Use of colour Mnemonics Image of concept Physically doing calculations Visualization of performing calculations ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
Terms MEAN MODE MEDIAN RANGE ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
MEAN AVERAGE CONTEXT Heights Exam marks TERMS ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University A dd N umbers and Divide
MODE MOST CONTEXT Shoe manufacturers make shoes in sizes for most people TERMS ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University Occurs the MO ST
MEDIAN MIDDLE VALUE CONTEXT Comparing exam results – average doesn’t work if one or two do very well or very badly TERMS ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University M ID DLE of range
RANGE SPREAD CONTEXT Tells you the spread of a set of data – the lowest value and the highest value TERMS ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University Highest and lowest number
Example 5, 10, 3, 4, 4, 8, 4, 3, 11, 9, 5 Write onto post-its Arrange in sequence ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
MEAN Add Numbers and Divide Add numbers on post-its 11 post-its Divide by number of post-its ÷ 11 ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
MODE Occurs the MOST THE MOST ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
MEDIAN MIDDLE of range Take away outer pairs ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University
RANGE Highest and Lowest numbers Lowest Highest ©Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University