Florida B.E.S.T. MA.912.DP.1.1
The Standard
Given a set of data, select an appropriate method to represent the data, depending on whether it is numerical or categorical data and on whether it is univariate or bivariate.
Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify each variable as categorical or numerical and decide whether a data set has one variable or two. They choose a matching display and explain why it fits.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students choose a bar chart for one categorical variable and a histogram or box plot for one numerical variable. They use a two-way table for two categorical variables, side-by-side box plots for one categorical and one numerical variable, and a scatter plot for two numerical variables. They justify each choice by naming the variable types and the pattern or comparison the display reveals.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often treat number labels, such as ZIP codes or jersey numbers, as numerical measurements. They may use a bar graph for continuous measurements or a scatter plot when one variable is categorical.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Choose a display for each data set: eye color, test scores, grade level and bus rider status, height and arm span. Justify each choice using the number and type of variables.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups cards showing data sets and graph types, then have them sort and match each data set to a suitable display.
Ask students to write: Why is a scatter plot useful for height and arm span, but not for eye color and grade level?
Run a matching relay where teams pair variable descriptions with frequency tables, histograms, box plots, two-way tables, or scatter plots.
Use class commute data to choose displays for travel method, commute time, and the relationship between distance and time.
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Printable MA.912.DP.1.1 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- MA.912.DP.2
Solve problems involving univariate and bivariate numerical data.
- MA.912.DP.3.5
Solve real-world problems involving univariate and bivariate categorical data.
- MA.8.DP.1.1
Given a set of real-world bivariate numerical data, construct a scatter plot or a line graph as appropriate for the context.
- MA.7.DP.1.5
Given a real-world numerical or categorical data set, choose and create an appropriate graphical representation.
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