L5 · Interpreting Data: Clinic

Learning goal

“I can interpret any of our three graphs - pictograph with a key, bar graph with a scale, dot plot - to find values, totals and differences, and I can check claims about the data against the numbers before believing them.”

Total — all the values in a data set added together; on a graph, the sum over every category or stack.

Conclusion — a statement the data actually supports, like "Blue scored the most points."

Evidence — the numbers from the graph that back up a conclusion. No numbers, no conclusion.

Claim — a statement someone makes about data that must be checked, like "Red scored half of Blue." Claims can be true or false.

Worked example

The three clinic data sets: SET 1 - Pictograph "Books read in October." Key: each symbol = 3 books. Rows: Sara 4 symbols, Liam 5 symbols, Emma 2 symbols, Noah 3 symbols. SET 2 - Bar graph "Points scored in a tournament." Axis labelled 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. Bars: Red 40, Blue 60, Green 30, Yellow 50. SET 3 - Dot plot "Letters in students' first names" (10 students). Stacks: 3 letters -> 2 dots, 4 letters -> 3 dots, 5 letters -> 4 dots, 6 letters -> 1 dot. SET 1 first. Read the key before the rows: each symbol = 3 books. Sara: 4 x 3 = 12 books. Liam: 5 x 3 = 15 books. Emma: 2 x 3 = 6 books. Noah: 3 x 3 = 9 books. Total: 12 + 15 + 6 + 9 = 42 books read by the four students. SET 2 next. Read the axis first: it climbs by 10s to 60, starting at 0 - a fair axis. Red 40, Blue 60, Green 30, Yellow 50. Difference between best and least: Blue - Green = 60 - 30 = 30 points. Say it plainly: whatever the graph type, the routine is identical - decode first (key or axis), turn the graph back into numbers, THEN add, subtract or compare. The numbers do the talking; the graph just hands them to you.

Check yourself — explain it

Why do we decode the key or axis BEFORE answering any question about a graph?

Paired problem — example still visible

Using SET 1: how many books did Sara and Noah read together? -> 21 books (12 + 9)

Faded completion — last step is yours

"Using SET 2: Red and Green together scored 40 + 30 = ___ points, which is ___ points fewer than Blue and Yellow together (60 + 50 = 110)." -> 70 points; 40 fewer

Ready to practise?

10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.

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