CMClearMathAcademy

Data Displays and Measures

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

Statistics helps summarize data. The mean is the balance point found by adding values and dividing by how many values there are. The median is the middle value when data is ordered. The mode is the most common value, and the range is the difference between greatest and least.

What you'll learn

Why it matters: Sports stats, classroom test averages, and weather summaries are shown as charts or with mean, median, and mode. Choosing the right display is what keeps the story in the data clear.

Worked example

Problem. Find the mean of 6, 8, 10, and 12.

  1. Add the values: 6 + 8 + 10 + 12 = 36.
  2. There are 4 values.
  3. 36 divided by 4 equals 9.

Answer: 9

Practice problems

1. Find the mean of 4, 6, and 8.

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Find the mean of 4, 6, and 8.
  2. For data questions, identify what each statistic measures before calculating so the result matches the question.
  3. Add 4 + 6 + 8 = 18.
  4. Divide by 3 to get 6.
  5. Check the result by substituting or estimating: the response should match 6 and make sense in the original problem.

Answer: 6

2. Find the median of 3, 9, 5.

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Find the median of 3, 9, 5.
  2. For data questions, identify what each statistic measures before calculating so the result matches the question.
  3. Order the data: 3, 5, 9.
  4. The middle value is 5.
  5. Check the result by substituting or estimating: the response should match 5 and make sense in the original problem.

Answer: 5

3. Find the range of 2, 7, 11, 15.

Show solution
  1. Warm-up: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Find the range of 2, 7, 11, 15.
  2. For range questions, identify the possible output values after the input restrictions and graph shape are considered.
  3. Range = greatest - least.
  4. 15 - 2 = 13.
  5. Check the result by substituting or estimating: the response should match 13 and make sense in the original problem.

Answer: 13

4. Find the mode of 2, 3, 3, 4, 6.

Show solution
  1. Core Practice: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Find the mode of 2, 3, 3, 4, 6.
  2. Choose the operation or relationship that matches the wording, then carry it out one clear step at a time.
  3. The mode is the value that appears most often.
  4. 3 appears twice.
  5. Check the result by substituting or estimating: the response should match 3 and make sense in the original problem.

Answer: 3

5. Find the mean of 10, 12, 14, and 16.

Show solution
  1. Core Practice: First identify exactly what the question is asking: Find the mean of 10, 12, 14, and 16.
  2. For data questions, identify what each statistic measures before calculating so the result matches the question.
  3. Add to get 52.
  4. 52 divided by 4 equals 13.
  5. Check the result by substituting or estimating: the response should match 13 and make sense in the original problem.

Answer: 13

Practice this interactively with instant feedback and an AI tutor.

Practice Data Displays and Measures Take the free placement check

More Pre-Algebra lessons