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This topic compares two sets of data using an average and a measure of spread (such as the range or interquartile range) and interprets the comparison in context. It's a core topic in GCSE and iGCSE Maths with Edexcel and the other major boards. This free interactive course teaches the method with worked examples and gives instant-feedback practice questions to lock it in.
How you do it
Compare one measure of average and one measure of spread, and say what each means in context. A higher mean with a smaller range means consistently better performance. Two sentences, both referring to the situation, is what the marks are for.
Before you start
Bring averages and range with you. It sets up box plots and cumulative frequency. Foundation and Higher tier students all cover it.
What you learn
Exam questions often ask you to compare two sets of data. A good comparison always mentions an average and a measure of spread — and says what they mean in context. a measure of spread (the range) — which set is more spread out / more consistent? If you’re given the actual values, first work out the median and range for each set, then compare. Marks are lost for comparisons with no context. The course works through how to compare two sets, comparing from raw data and saying it in context. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Comparing Distributions is part of the Data and Statistics strand of our free GCSE maths courses, studied in Foundation tier. You work through 3 concepts and 2 worked examples, testing yourself at 3 points. Nearby topics in the same strand are Cumulative Frequency, Histograms, Types of Data, Averages — Frequency Tables and Averages — Grouped Frequency. For unlimited practice, the Data and Statistics revision engine builds new questions on demand and records your accuracy.
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