What students learn in AC9M9ST03
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables using comparative representations; compare data distributions with consideration of centre, spread and shape, and the effect of outliers on these measures.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- describing the shape of the distribution of data using terms such as “positive skew”, “negative skew” and “symmetric” and “bi-modal” using stem-and-leaf plots to compare 2 like sets of data such as the heights of girls and the heights of boys in a class
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables using comparative representations; compare data distributions with consideration of centre, spread and shape, and the effect of outliers on these measures
- E1: describing the shape of the distribution of data using terms such as “positive skew”, “negative skew” and “symmetric” and “bi-modal”
- E2: using stem-and-leaf plots to compare 2 like sets of data such as the heights of girls and the heights of boys in a class
- E3: constructing grouped histograms that show trends in health issues such as lung cancer, leukemia, stroke and diabetes, and using the graph to justify, verify or invalidate claims
- E4: exploring comparative data presented in reports by National Indigenous Australians Agency in regard to “Closing the Gap”, discussing the comparative distributions within the context of the data; for example, comparative data presented in the “Closing the Gap - Prime Minister’s Report” (teaching context)
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9M9ST03 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
- Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
- Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9M9ST03 — represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables using comparative representations; compare data distributions with consideration of centre, spread and shape, and the effect of outliers on these measures |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 9 Maths: closest match in Statistics. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 5 Maths: closest content focus for Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 9 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 3 / Year 9: closest programme-of-study match for Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 9 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 5 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 9 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Represent the distribution of multiple data sets for numerical variables.... |