Grade 5 Math: Sorting Data
Turn a list of observations into mutually exclusive categories. Choose supported, standard, or challenge practice with a worked example, printable visual, and explained answers.
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Use This WorksheetIncludes
Topics
Sorting survey data
Name: Date:
Turn a list of observations into mutually exclusive categories.
Grade 5 review and application of earlier data skills. Use the stated units and scales. These activities do not claim to cover an entire Grade 5 standard.
Supported practice
Example: Students A and E both belong in the Walk category. Each student is counted once.
1. List the students who traveled by bike.
2. How many students traveled by bus?
3. How many traveled by walking?
4. How many categories are used?
Supported answers
1. C and G.
2. 3: B, D and F.
3. 3: A, E and H.
4. 3 categories: Walk, Bus and Bike.
Standard practice
Example: A frequency is the number of observations in a category. Count, then check that frequencies sum to the list length.
1. Write a frequency table for all three methods.
2. Check that no student was omitted by adding the frequencies.
3. Which methods are tied for most common?
4. Student I arrives by bike. Give the new counts and total.
Standard answers
1. Walk 3, Bus 3, Bike 2.
2. 3 + 3 + 2 = 8, matching the eight students.
3. Walk and Bus, each with 3 students.
4. Walk 3, Bus 3, Bike 3; total 9.
Challenge practice
Example: Categories must match the question. “Bus” and “vehicle” overlap, so they are unsuitable as separate one-choice categories.
1. Why would categories Walk, Bus and Vehicle cause problems here?
2. A student walks to a bus stop and then rides a bus. Give a clearer survey rule.
3. Someone reports Walk 3, Bus 4, Bike 2 for the original list. How can you detect and locate the error?
4. Can this eight-student survey prove how most children in the town travel?
Challenge answers
1. Bus and Bike are vehicles, so the categories overlap and may count a student twice.
2. For example: record the method used for the longest part of the journey. A consistent rule prevents double-counting.
3. The sum is 9 but there are only 8 students. Recount Bus: B, D and F give 3, not 4.
4. No. It describes these eight students; the sample may not represent the town.
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