NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CURRICULUM SUPPORT
Mathematics
Statistics with a Graphic Calculator
TI-83 Version
[MULTI-LEVEL]
David Elgin
Derek Simpson
Calum Stewart
=>?
First published 2001
Electronic version 2001
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2001
This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes by
educational establishments in Scotland provided that no profit accrues at any stage.
Acknowledgement
Learning and Teaching Scotland gratefully acknowledge this contribution to the Higher
Still support programme for Mathematics. The help of Allan Duncan in editing this
material is acknowledged with thanks.
ISBN 1 85955 898 4
Learning and Teaching Scotland
Gardyne Road
Dundee
DD5 1NY
www.LTScotland.com
CONTENTS
Introduction
iv
Part
1.
2.
3.
4.
1
Lists and Data Entry
Median, Quartiles and Boxplots
Two Variable Statistics
Mean and Variance of Discrete Random Variables
1
4
9
15
Part
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
2
Summary Statistics for a Single Variable
Boxplots
Marks in Exams
Highway Code
Fire Damage
Breaking Strength of Cables
Breeding Gulls
Pendulum Lengths and Periods
17
22
26
28
31
33
36
38
MATHEMATICS
iii
INTRODUCTION
Learning and Teaching Scotland has produced this material as part of a
national strategy of providing practical support to help schools
implement the proposals in Advanced Calculators and Mathematics
Education: A Paper for Discussion and Development (Scottish CCC,
1999).
This pack is designed to follow up the earlier one entitled Using a
Graphic Calculator. It should be used in the same way as the previous
pack and has similar aims, objectives and teaching approaches. As
before, the materials may be used with students or as a basis for staff
development.
The topics cover a range of statistical content at General and Credit
Levels of Standard Grade and also at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and
Higher levels. The activities in this pack should be teacher led. They
are aimed at both the experienced and less experienced graphic
calculator user alike. Some topics assume a certain amount of prior
knowledge of the Statistics content while others actually introduce the
new concepts.
In Part 1 students learn how to enter and edit data as lists in the
calculator and how to use these to find both one and two variable
statistics and produce statistical plots such as the boxplot and the
scattergraph. Linear regression is then examined and you will be shown
how to calculate the equation of the regression line as well as how to
plot it.
Part 2 consists of a collection of activities where the statistical content is
embedded in real life contexts and in practical investigations. Some of
the content of Part 1 is revisited before quadratic, exponential and
power regression are introduced.
Almost all the topics are accompanied by short practice exercises
designed to reinforce the student’s newly acquired skills with the
calculator. The data sets involved are all so small that entry into lists is
neither time consuming nor difficult. (Software is now available which
can transfer large datasets directly into the TI-83 calculator from a
computer but this is not needed here.)
iv
MATHEMATICS