Leaf Length Statistics Activity

Name:

Date:

🍃 Part 1: Collecting Your Data

Collect 10 leaves from outside. Using a ruler, measure the length of each leaf in centimetres (from the tip to the stem). Record your measurements in the table below.

1. Record your 10 leaf lengths below (in cm):

Leaf 1: _______ cm Leaf 2: _______ cm Leaf 3: _______ cm Leaf 4: _______ cm Leaf 5: _______ cm

Leaf 6: _______ cm Leaf 7: _______ cm Leaf 8: _______ cm Leaf 9: _______ cm Leaf 10: _______ cm

2. Now write your 10 leaf lengths in order from smallest to largest:

_____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____

📊 Part 2: Calculating the Statistics

Use your ordered data from Part 1 to answer the questions below. Show all working in the boxes provided.

3. RANGE — Subtract the smallest value from the largest value.
Example: If the smallest leaf is 3 cm and the largest is 11 cm, the range = 11 − 3 = 8 cm.

Largest leaf: _______ cm − Smallest leaf: _______ cm = Range: _______ cm

4. MODE — The value that appears most often in your data.
Example: In the set 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 5, 9 — the mode is 5 because it appears 3 times.

My mode is: _______ cm It appears _______ times.

If no value repeats, write: "There is no mode."

5. MEDIAN — The middle value when data is in order. With 10 values, add the 5th and 6th values together and divide by 2.
Example: If the 5th value is 6 cm and the 6th value is 8 cm → (6 + 8) ÷ 2 = 7 cm.

My median is: _______ cm

6. MEAN — Add all values together, then divide by 10.
Example: If the total of all leaves = 65 cm → 65 ÷ 10 = 6.5 cm.

Total of all lengths: _______ cm ÷ 10 Mean = _______ cm

💭 Part 3: Reflect and Respond

7. Which statistical measure do you think best describes the "typical" leaf length in your collection? Circle your choice and explain why.

Mean

Median

Mode

8. Look at your range. What does the range tell you about the variety of leaf sizes you collected?

9. If you added one very long leaf (say, 30 cm) to your data, which measure would be most affected — the mean, median, or mode? Explain your thinking.