Understanding Outliers
Explore outliers in data sets, identify them, and understand their impact on statistical measures for 6th graders.
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Understanding Outliers
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show your work where necessary.
What is an outlier in a data set?
1. Which number is an outlier in the data set: 12, 15, 18, 14, 65, 13, 16?
12
18
65
13
2. In the data set: 5, 8, 10, 7, 9, 50, 6, which number is an outlier?
5
50
10
6
An outlier can significantly affect the (mean/median) of a data set. It has less effect on the (mean/median).
When an outlier is much larger than other data points, it will make the mean appear (larger/smaller) than most of the data.
Consider the following test scores: 75, 80, 82, 78, 95, 15. Identify the outlier and explain how it affects the average score.
1. An outlier is always the largest number in a data set.
True
False
2. Removing an outlier from a data set can change its mean.
True
False
Create a data set of 5 numbers where one number is clearly an outlier. Explain why it is an outlier.