Lesson 13

Standard Deviation in Real-World Contexts

  • Let’s think about standard deviation in the real world.

13.1: Estimation: Marathon Runner

Drawing of a runner at mile marker 6.

How long will it take the runner to finish the marathon?

  1. Record an estimate that is:
     too low  about right   too high 
         
  2. Explain your reasoning.

13.2: Calculate Standard Deviation

A production board during movie filming

Movie A ratings on a 10 point scale:

9, 8, 10, 10, 7, 1, 8, 1, 2, 8

Movie B ratings on a 10 point scale:

9, 8, 8, 7, 9, 7, 7, 9, 7, 8 

Restaurant A ratings on a 100 point scale:

88, 87, 89, 90, 87, 85, 88, 91, 86, 86, 88, 89

Restaurant B ratings on a 100 point scale:

90, 65, 89, 50, 94, 93, 95, 95, 75, 70, 88, 89

  1. Calculate the mean and standard deviation for each data set.
  2. Based on these statistics, which movie and restaurant would you choose? Explain your reasoning.

13.3: Which Route is the Best Route?

Priya timed the ride from home to school on two different routes.
Here are the times in minutes:

Route A: 21.5, 23, 24, 25, 26.5

Route B: 12, 20, 24, 28, 36

  1. Before calculating the standard deviation, predict which route has a greater standard deviation. Explain your reasoning.
  2. Calculate the standard deviation and use it to decide which route you would recommend for Priya.

Summary