AP Statistics – Summer Assignment

Welcome to AP Stats!

AP Statistics is unlike other math courses. In most math courses there is usually one correct answer... the area is 23.6 m2, or x = –3.21. In statistics, we do find numerical answers, such as mean and median, but are most interested in the meaning behind the numbers. This course requires strong analytical skills and a willingness to learn. We use the scientific method to draw well-supported conclusions from data in order to answer research questions and explain the conclusions in a clear, concise, and persuasive way. For best results, complete these assignments in the week or two before returning to school. That way the material will be as fresh as possible when school begins in the fall. The intent of these assignments is to familiarize yourself with beginning statistical methods.

1. Chapter 1, Exploring Data is an introduction to graphing and describing data. It’s a long chapter, but you’ll find much of the information will be familiar. As you skim through the chapter, you will briefly define important terms and answer questions to check your understanding of the material. You do NOT need to master this material before school begins! After discussing the chapter in class and completing practice problems, we will have a test during the second week. You may want to print the reading notes, which begin after the article links.

The Practice of Statistics, Chapter 1 https://www.highschool.bfwpub.com/catalog//samplechapters/1759_TPS6_Chapter%201.pdf 2. Choose three of the following articles from the lists on the following pages. You must read at least one article from the BBC, one from Facebook Data Science, and one from Sense about Science. As you read, think about how the data was collected and the questions that the researchers are attempting to answer.

If you have questions, you can email kray@lexington1.net or bwilhelm@lexington1.net

Articles from the BBC, author Michael Blastland:

What the survey didn’t say. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7542886.stm Myths of counting. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7554022.stm Putting percentages in context http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7568929.stm

Just what is average? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7581120.stm Just because... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7592579.stm Facebook Data Science These articles all begin with graphical displays that show large amounts of data. https://research.fb.com/nfl-fan-friendships-on-facebook/ https://research.fb.com/do-jobs-run-in-families/ https://research.fb.com/three-and-a-half-degrees-of-separation/ Sense about Science

http://senseaboutscienceusa.org/to-err-is-human/ http://senseaboutscienceusa.org/food-addiction-is-it-all-in-someone-elses-head/

Key Vocabulary and Concepts

You do not need to define these words using complete sentence, but is important to understand and use statistical vocabulary correctly. Write a few words to help you remember each term.

• individuals

• variable

• categorical variable

• quantitative variable

• distribution

• inference

Key Vocabulary and Concepts

You do not need to define these words using complete sentence, but is important to understand and use statistical vocabulary correctly. Write a few words to help you remember each term.

• frequency table

• relative frequency table

• pie chart

• bar graph

• two-way table

• marginal distribution

• conditional distribution

• association

Key Vocabulary and Concepts

You do not need to define these words using complete sentence, but is important to understand and use statistical vocabulary correctly. Write a few words to help you remember each term.

• dotplot

• stemplot

• histogram

• shape

• center

• spread

• outliers

• symmetric

• skewed to the right

• skewed to the left

• unimodal

• bimodal

Key Vocabulary and Concepts

You do not need to define these words using complete sentence, but is important to understand and use statistical vocabulary correctly. Write a few words to help you remember each term.

• mean

• median

• range

• quartiles

• interquartile range (IQR)

• five-number summary

• boxplot

• standard deviation

• variance

• 1.5 x IQR rule