Examining Mean, Mode and Median with Manipulatives
 Topic Index | Algebra Index | Regents Exam Prep Center

Investigate Mean, Mode and Median
with Manipulatives

Supplies:  dried spaghetti or string licorice, or string
 (use paper towels if you are using string licorice which the students will want to eat) 

 
Directions for set up: Hand out 4 pieces of dried spaghetti (or 3 strings of licorice, or about 30" of string)  

No measuring devices are to be used for this activity.

Ask the students to break each strand of spaghetti into 3 pieces of varying lengths (or tear each string of licorice into 4 pieces of varying lengths, or cut the string into 12 pieces of varying lengths).  Each student should now have 12 items.

Arrange the 12 pieces side-by-side from shortest to longest.

  
Directions for work up:

Ask the students to determine if their set of pieces has a mode.  They should be ready to explain how they made their decision.

Ask the students to determine the median.  Students should explain how this determination was made.

Discuss whether it is possible to determine the mean without using measurements. (answer - no)  

Complete the worksheet of questions on mean, median, and mode.

 

Download the Worksheet
for use in your classroom.