CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.5
The standard
Use data from a randomized experiment to compare two treatments; use simulations to decide if differences between parameters are significant.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
What this standard means
Students need to compare two treatments using data from a randomized experiment. They should look at the difference between groups, then use a simulation to ask, “Could this difference happen just by random assignment?”
Mastery means students can set up a randomization simulation, run many trials, and judge whether the observed difference is unusual. They can explain their conclusion in context, not just say “significant.” Students often get stuck thinking a bigger difference always proves a treatment works, or they mix up random sampling with random assignment.
Ways to teach it
- Use cards labeled treatment A and B to randomly reassign outcome values, then record the difference in group means for 20 trials.
- Ask students to write: How unusual must our result be before we believe the treatment caused a real difference?
- Show one dotplot of simulated differences and have students decide whether the observed result is statistically significant.
- Compare two study strategies using class quiz data, then discuss how random assignment would make the comparison more trustworthy.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.5
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.4
Use data from a sample survey to estimate a population mean or proportion; develop a margin of error through the use of simulation models for random sampling.
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A
Understand and evaluate random processes underlying statistical experiments
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A.2
Decide if a specified model is consistent with results from a given data-generating process, e.g., using simulation.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.A.2
Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about a population with an unknown characteristic of interest. Generate multiple samples (or simulated samples)...