Unit 4: Descriptive Statistics
Descriptor 2 - S.ID.2 Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center (median, mean) and spread (interquartile range, standard deviation) of two or more different data sets.Students will analyze current bankruptcy statistics and plot the data.
Instructor will read the article about Utah bankruptcy filings provided or any other article/information that may give some background. Discuss findings with students and introduce the activity.
Distribute a current copy of the bankruptcy statistics to students and have them look over the information. (choose either the per capita stats website or the chart below with the actual number of filings.)
Ask each student to pick 10 states in different parts of the United States, one of which must be Utah. (if the instructor wants the class to have the same 10 states then they can choose the ten they want the student to analyze.) Have students transfer the information to their paper/worksheet.
Students will then compute the different measures of spread, including the range and standard deviation.
Extra: Have students create a chart/graph on the 10 states.
Bankruptcy Filings (per capita) By State
Utah Bankruptcy Filings Rose 56% in 1st Quarter - Bankruptcy Article for teacher prep or for students to read
Personal Bankruptcy Stats by State – 2009 Chart (pdf)
Standard 3: Students will understand principles of money management.
Objective 5: Discuss the purposes for insurance and risk management.
Excerpt from student worksheet:
“If you lost your entire roof in a tornado, how much would you need to pay for a new one? That depends on the kind of insurance policy you have, where you live, the cost of building materials and construction of your roof, and other factors. Understanding factors such as these helps actuaries set premiums for insurance companies.”
Student Worksheet (pdf)
Standard 3: Students will understand principles of money management.
Objective 5: Discuss the purposes for insurance and risk management.
The Longevity Game
This interactive website has students input variable information regarding their lifestyle (smoking, exercise, and other habits) to predict how long they will live. Prior to activity have student predict how long they think they will live and explain why in writing. After completing activity, have students identify if they were correct or not and explain what they plan to do to improve or maintain their life span.
Linear - Quadratic & Exponential Models.
3. Observe using graphs and tables that a quantity increasing exponentially eventually exceeds a quantity increasing linearly, quadratically, or (more generally) as a polynomial function.
This lesson is designed to help students understand the basic concepts of exponential growth and decay. The lesson assumes that the students have basic knowledge of exponents and functions. This lesson is meant to help the students understand the real-life applications of exponential decay and growth.