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Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint

A free Algebra I lesson from the “Statistics and Data Analysis” unit, with a worked example and practice problems including step-by-step solutions.

This checkpoint reviews scatter plots, trend lines, correlation, two-way tables, and the language needed to describe association without overclaiming causation. In Statistics and Data Analysis, students need more than a memorized rule: they need to recognize the structure, select a method, carry out the algebra cleanly, and interpret the answer in a graph, table, equation, or real context. The expanded practice now mixes skill fluency, transfer questions, and cumulative review so the lesson builds durable Algebra I readiness.

What you'll learn

Why it matters: Algebra I assessments mix symbolic fluency with modeling, graph interpretation, and strategy choice so students practice the same switching they need on cumulative tests.

Worked example

Problem. Worked example from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Hours practiced vs. free throws made (rising). Association?

  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Hours practiced vs. free throws made (rising). Association?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. Both increase together.
  4. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.

Answer: Positive

Practice problems

1. Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint review case A from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Hours practiced vs. free throws made (rising). Association?

Choices: Positive · Negative · None

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Hours practiced vs. free throws made (rising). Association?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. Both increase together.
  4. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.
  5. Identify the Algebra I structure before choosing a calculation.

Answer: Positive

2. Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint review case B from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Drink size vs. soda calories (rising). Association?

Choices: Positive · Negative · None

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Drink size vs. soda calories (rising). Association?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. Bigger drinks have more calories.
  4. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.
  5. Identify the Algebra I structure before choosing a calculation.

Answer: Positive

3. Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint review case C from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Ice-cream sales and drowning incidents both rise in summer. Does ice cream cause drowning?

Choices: Yes (causation) · No (just correlation)

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Ice-cream sales and drowning incidents both rise in summer. Does ice cream cause drowning?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. A third variable (hot weather) drives both.
  4. Correlation does not imply causation.
  5. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.

Answer: No (just correlation)

4. Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint review case D from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Hours of TV vs. grades (falling). Association?

Choices: Positive · Negative · None

Show solution
  1. Core Practice: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Hours of TV vs. grades (falling). Association?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. More TV, lower grades — opposite directions.
  4. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.
  5. Identify the Algebra I structure before choosing a calculation.

Answer: Negative

5. Statistics and Data Analysis Checkpoint review case E from Scatter Plots and Trend Lines: Random scatter with no pattern. Association?

Choices: Positive · Negative · None

Show solution
  1. Core Practice: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Random scatter with no pattern. Association?
  2. Compare each answer choice with the calculation or rule, and eliminate choices that do not satisfy the condition.
  3. No discernible trend.
  4. Verify the selected choice by checking that it satisfies the original prompt and that the other choices fail the same test.
  5. Identify the Algebra I structure before choosing a calculation.

Answer: None

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