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Sneaking Statistics

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Resources for this lesson:

You will use your Algebra II Journal opens in new window on this page.

> Glossary opens in new window
> Calculator Resources opens in new window
> Teacher Resources: Instructional Notes opens in new window

Not all reports use statistics to mislead the public. Here are some excellent examples of the appropriate use of statistics.

Visit www.businessinsider.com opens in new window to see a graph that shows the employment gap between the educated and the uneducated.

From this graph, it is clear that there is an association between education and unemployment rate. (Remember! Association does not mean causation!)

Not all data has to be in a graph. Here is a table published by techcrunch.com.
This table shows the top grossing apps downloaded. The table is clear, precise, void of extra information, and leaves interpretation up to the viewer.

This table shows the Top Grossing Applications in February 2013. These are I phone apps in the United States that were released since January 2012. The table has four columns: grossing rank, application, all-time ARPD, and Release date. First place is Clash of Clans at $4.66 with a release date of June 2012. Second place is Candy Crush Saga at $1.14 with a release date of October 2012. Third place is place is Hay Day at $3.29 with a release date of May 2012. Fourth place is Marvel War of Heroes at $2.93 with a release date of September 2012. Fifth place is The Simpsons Tapped Out at $2.14 with a release date of February 2012. Sixth place is Big Fish Casino at $6.80 with a release date of August 2012. Seventh place is Rage of Bahamut at $7.04 with a release date of May 2012. Eighth place is The Hobbit at $4.64 with a release date of October 2012. Ninth place is What’s the Word? at $0.37 with a release date of November 2012. Tenth place is TurboTax Snaptax at $2.18 with a release date of January 2012.

Source: Distimo opens in new window


Algebra II Journal: Reflection 1

Respond to the following reflection activity in your Algebra II Journal opens in new window and submit to your teacher.

The other lessons in this module have been in the context of weather and weather-related events. The graphs used in this lesson of the module have not been weather related.
  • To keep with the weather-related theme of the module, find (or create) a weather-related graph that presents misleading data.
  • Reconstruct the graph so that it accurately presents the data.
  • Record both graphs. You may use the graphing paper in your journal, your graphing calculator, or other graphing resources in the Calculator Resources section of the website.
  • Provide a summary as to what makes the first graph misleading, and how you avoid misleading representations in the second graph.

 

 

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