Math Problem Statement

Two geometry classes with the same number of students took a final exam. The box-and-whisker plots below summarize the test scores for each class. Use the box-and-whisker plots to answer the questions: (a) Which class had a smaller range of test scores? (b) Which class had a higher median test score? (c) Which class had the highest test score? (d) Which class had test scores with a larger interquartile range (IQR)?

Solution

To answer these questions, let's analyze the box-and-whisker plots for both Class A and Class B:

  1. Range: The range is the difference between the highest and lowest values in each class.

    • Class A has scores roughly from 60 to 90, giving it a range of 30.
    • Class B has scores roughly from 65 to 95, giving it a range of 30 as well.
  2. Median: The median is represented by the line within each box.

    • Class A’s median is approximately 75.
    • Class B’s median is approximately 85.
    • Therefore, Class B has a higher median test score.
  3. Highest Test Score: Look at the farthest point to the right in each plot.

    • Class A’s highest test score is around 90.
    • Class B’s highest test score is around 95.
    • So, Class B had the highest test score.
  4. Interquartile Range (IQR): This is the range within the box, from the first quartile (Q1) to the third quartile (Q3).

    • Class A’s IQR is approximately from 70 to 85, giving an IQR of 15.
    • Class B’s IQR is approximately from 80 to 90, giving an IQR of 10.
    • Therefore, Class A has a larger interquartile range (IQR).

Summary:

  • (a) Both classes have the same range.
  • (b) Class B has a higher median test score.
  • (c) Class B had the highest test score.
  • (d) Class A had a larger interquartile range (IQR).

Would you like further details on any of these points, or have any additional questions?

Here are five related questions that may interest you:

  1. What does the interquartile range tell us about the spread of scores?
  2. How can we interpret the range when both classes have the same spread?
  3. Why is the median important in comparing the two classes?
  4. What do outliers tell us about data in a box-and-whisker plot?
  5. How could we use mean instead of median in analyzing test scores?

Tip: The median is often more reliable than the mean when data has outliers, as it is less affected by extreme values.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Box-and-Whisker Plot
Range
Median
Interquartile Range (IQR)

Formulas

Range = Maximum - Minimum
Median = Middle Value of Ordered Data
IQR = Q3 - Q1

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9