Lesson Plan

Measuring Variability for Skewed Distributions (Interquartile Range)

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Should the standard deviation be used for all distributions? Pupils know that the median is a better description of the center for skewed distributions; therefore, they will need a variability measure about the median for those distributions. An exploratory lesson provides the background to determining the interquartile range to measure variability. 

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CCSS: Designed
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • The question might arise about using the standard deviation to measure the variability; calculate the standard deviation and discuss whether it provides an accurate description of the variability of the data
  • Have students pair off and develop data sets that have the same interquartile range but different medians; allow the class to compare the different data sets
Classroom Considerations
  • The seventh lesson of a 20-lesson module
Pros
  • Sample solutions provided for guided practice, independent practice, and the exit ticket
  • Developed with the Common Core state standards in mind
Cons
  • None