Univariate Distributions

Overview

I. Exploring Data

Describing patterns and departures from patterns (20%-30%)

Exploring analysis of data makes use of graphical and numerical techniques to study patterns and departures from patterns. Emphasis should be placed on interpreting information from graphical and numerical displays and summaries.

I. Exploring Data

A. Constructing and interpreting graphical displays of distributions of univariate data (dotplot, stemplot, histogram, cumulative frequency plot)

1. Center and spread2. Clusters and gaps3. Outliers and other unusual features4. Shape

Multiple Choice Questions

• Read and think for one minute, and write your answer.

• Discuss with group members for 30 seconds and decide on a final answer.

• Discuss as a group for as long as we need to. . .

Source: AP Practice Exam

Answer: B

Source: AP Practice Exam

Answer: D

Source: 2001 AP Exam

B. Summarizing distributions of univariate data

1. Measuring center: median, mean2. Measuring spread: range, interquartile

range, standard deviation3. Measuring position: quartiles, percentiles,

standardized scores (z-scores)4. Using boxplots5. The effect of changing units on summary

measures

I. Exploring Data

Source: 2007 AP Exam

Answer: C

Source: AP Course Description

Answer: B

Answer: E

Source: AP Practice Exam

Answer: C

Source: AP Practice Exam

Answer: E

Source: AP Practice Exam

Answer: A

Free Response Questions

• We’ll do each one a little differently, so listen for directions.

• They’ll all start with you reading and answering the question, but a bit faster than you would need to do on the actual exam.

Source: AP Practice Exam

C. Comparing distributions of univariate data (dotplots, back-to-back stemplots, parallel boxplots)

1. Comparing center and spread: within group, between group variables

2. Comparing clusters and gaps3. Comparing outliers and other unusual

features4. Comparing shapes

I. Exploring Data

Source: 1997 AP Exam

Answer: B

Source: 1997 AP Exam

Answer: A

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2006 AP Exam

Source: 2011 AP Exam

Source: 2011 AP Exam

Source: 2011 AP Exam