Mathematics / Year 7 / Statistics

Curriculum content descriptions

acquire data sets for discrete and continuous numerical variables and calculate the range, median, mean and mode; make and justify decisions about which measures of central tendency provide useful insights into the nature of the distribution of data (AC9M7ST01)

Elaborations
  • understanding that summarising data by calculating measures of centre can help make sense of the data, commenting on skewness or symmetry of data and the use of mean and median as representative measures
  • comparing the mean, median, mode and range of displays of data from a given context, and explaining how outliers may affect summary statistics
  • recognising how different data sets can have the same measures of central tendency and experimenting with how varying data affects these measures
  • acquire continuous numerical data by taking measurement samples during a science experiment, observation or field study, comparing measures of central tendency and identifying any anomalies in the distribution of data
  • exploring how descriptive statistics are used by artificial intelligence developers to summarise and analyse data, assist the artificial intelligence in making informed decisions, and gain insights from the processed data; for example, descriptive statistics in recommendation systems can help analyse user behaviour and preferences
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Distributions (Statistics),  Range (Statistics),  Justification (Reasoning),  Data collection,  Central tendency

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Water games

In this set of learning activities, students explore the question 'What process can be designed that will change people's habits towards water saving and result in reducing demand?' The module includes a comprehensive teacher guide, curriculum links, materials lists, design process guides and printable student resource ...

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ReSolve: What's In A Name

This sequence of two lessons examines trends in the names of students in the class, as well as trends in popular names from 2017 and 1957. Students explore data associated with these names and decide whether the mean, median or mode might be a suitable measure of central tendency. They develop their skills with spreadsheets ...

Video

Can you guess the weight of Uluru?

What is the "wisdom of a crowd"? Mathematician Lily Serna investigates a mathematical phenomenon that suggests that if you have a large enough crowd, with a broad variety of people making estimates, then the mean (average) answer of the crowd will be accurate! Find out if a crowd can guess the weight of Uluru from the ground ...

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Mean, median and mode

This resource is a video demonstration, with audio commentary, about calculating the mean, median and mode of a data set. The meaning of each of the terms - mean, median and mode - is explained and the difference between them is clarified. The resource explains the process and demonstrates a handwritten method for calculating ...

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reSolve: Modelling Motion - Year 7

This sequence of seven lessons challenges students to use simple equipment to predict, observe and represent motion. They create a series of graphs to represent motion and construct instruments to measure forces in one and then two dimensions. They interpret these representations to develop concepts of force and motion. ...

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reSolve: Paint with Numbers

This sequence of three lessons explores ratios through the context of mixing paint. Students investigate how ratios express a multiplicative relationship between two measures and under what conditions the proportions remain constant when the numerical values of both quantities change. The lessons are outlined in detail ...

Downloadable

Human landscapes – inquiry-based learning through Sydney Metro – Stage 4

This inquiry-based unit of work was created, trialled and peer reviewed as part of a professional learning program in inquiry-based learning for school teachers. The professional learning courses were part of a pilot partnership between the NSW Government’s Sydney Metro transport agency and Western Sydney University. Students ...

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Syllabus Bites: Revisiting proportion

This is the first in a series of Syllabus Bites related to direct and indirect proportion. Students revise the concept of ratio. They create short visual explanations showing how problems can be solved.

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Waste and materials – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on waste and materials using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

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ABC News: Getting your facts straight about water use

We hear a lot about water use in Australia. What are the real statistics about water use? What is the breakdown of water use for different groups across Australia? Watch this clip to find out who uses water and how much, and consider the value of water and the 'return' on this use for the Australian economy. The figures ...

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Catalyst: Take the Phi Golden challenge

The golden ratio, Phi: fact or fallacy? What about the Fibonacci sequence? We are told this ratio and its cousin Fibonacci occur everywhere in nature. Let's see which of these claims stacks up when put to the test.

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MathXplosion, Ep 33: On the grid

Explore graphs, grids and mapping with a focus on reading and writing location data using coordinate geometry. Grids and maps illustrate the concepts of parallel/perpendicular lines (axes or labelled number lines), ordered pairs and intersection points.

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BTN: What is the GST?

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax placed on things people buy with money or things people do for money. Can you name some goods and services that have GST? What about some goods and services that don't have GST? Find out when and why the GST was first introduced.

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My Five Cents: Why borrowing can cost you more

Think credit cards are basically free money? Gen Fricker will make you think again. Learn how interest rates and fees affect the money you borrow, and why they may be more expensive in the long run. Oh dear! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  

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My Five Cents: What is opportunity cost?

What is the true cost of buying something? Gen Fricker explains that it's more than just money. Learn about opportunity cost - what it is, why it's a helpful tool and when to use it. Simple! Then test yourself with ASIC MoneySmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.

Interactive

Water use and efficiency – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on water use and efficiency using the five step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

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How does income tax work?

Gen Fricker makes income tax interesting! Learn about income tax - what it is, how it works and when you have to pay it. Easy-peasy! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.

Interactive

Numeracy wrap: Tell me why

Interactive activities that guide students to consider the use and presentation of geometric reasoning.

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Are plants mathematicians?

Ever noticed that plants are examples of Fibonacci numbers? Watch Vi Hart draw examples of flower petals and leaf growth that follow this pattern. See how plants seem to use Phi (.), the golden ratio. Find out how to make your own 'angle-a-tron' to create interesting petal designs. This is the second in a series of two.

Downloadable

Give it your best shot

Students calculate the mean, median and mode for sets of data and select the appropriate measure of centre.