6.SP.A.1 6th Grade Statistics & Probability

Statistical Questions

Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question.

How to explain it

At this standard, students recognize statistical questions as those that anticipate variability in data, distinguish them from non-statistical questions with a single answer, explain why the answers vary, and generate their own statistical questions for real-world contexts.

The anchor students hold onto: If the answers VARY, the question is statistical. If there is only ONE answer, it is not.

Recognizing statistical questions sets up describing distributions (6.SP.A.2) and choosing measures of center and variability (6.SP.A.3).

Worked examples

Example 1 Not Statistical

Is "How old am I?" statistical?

Step 1Data collected: one person's age

Step 2My age is a single, fixed number

Step 3Only one answer → no variability

Step 4NOT a statistical question

AnswerNot statistical — only one answer

Example 2 Statistical

Classmates' ages — stat or not?

Step 1Data collected: every student's age

Step 2Students have many different ages

Step 3Answers vary → variability exists

Step 4YES — a statistical question

AnswerStatistical — ages vary across students

Common mistakes

What students write Any question that uses numbers or data is a statistical question

The fix A question is statistical only when answers VARY across a group — not just any data.

What students write "How many students are in our class?" is statistical because it counts a group

The fix Class size is one fixed number — variability (different answers), not group size, makes a question statistical.

Teacher tip

Head off the two predictable errors before they happen. First: A question is statistical only when answers VARY across a group — not just any data. Second: Class size is one fixed number — variability (different answers), not group size, makes a question statistical.