Year 5 Statistics: check-up and SATs-style questions

Key words. A line graph joins points with lines. The scale up the side shows the value of each gridline. The axis along the bottom shows the time, the week or the day.

Method. Start at the value on the scale, go across to the line, then down to the time or week.

1. Find 10 °C on the scale. The scale on the side tells you the height of each gridline.
   10 °C
2. Go across to the Temperature line. Find the point at that height on the line.
   across to the point
3. Go down to the bottom of the graph. The time or week under the point is the answer.
   down to 11:00
4. Write the answer.
   11:00

Check. Read 11:00 again and the value there is 10 °C. ✓

Watch out. Start from the scale, not from the bottom of the graph.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read both values, then subtract the smaller one from the bigger one.

1. Read the value for Aisha's plant in Week 5. Find the point on the line and read across to the scale.
   22 cm
2. Read the value for Leo's plant in Week 5. Do the same for the second point.
   16 cm
3. Subtract the smaller value from the bigger value. The difference tells you how much more one value is than the other.
   22 − 16 = 6
4. Write the answer.
   6 cm

Check. 16 + 6 = 22, so the difference is right. ✓

Watch out. Always subtract the smaller value from the bigger one, so the answer is not negative.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read both values, then subtract the smaller one from the bigger one.

1. Read the value for 11:30. Find the point on the line and read across to the scale.
   £80
2. Read the value for 12:30. Do the same for the second point.
   £140
3. Subtract the smaller value from the bigger value. The difference tells you how much more one value is than the other.
   140 − 80 = 60
4. Write the answer.
   £60

Check. 80 + 60 = 140, so the difference is right. ✓

Watch out. Always subtract the smaller value from the bigger one, so the answer is not negative.

Key words. A sum is the total of several values, found by adding them. On a graph or a table, read each value first, then add.

Method. Read each value from the graph, then add them all together.

1. Read the value for each time or day. We need every value in the list.
   Monday: 6,000 steps, Sunday: 10,000 steps
2. Add the values. A sum is the total of all the values.
   6,000 + 10,000 = 16,000
3. Write the answer.
   16,000 steps

Check. Add the values in a different order and you get 16,000 again. ✓

Watch out. Check that you have added every value in the list, and no others.

Key words. A table puts information in rows and columns. Read along a row for one item and down a column for one category. A total is the sum of a row or a column.

Method. Look down the total points column for the biggest number.

1. Read the total points for each class. The last column is the total for each class.
   5A 30, 5B 31, 5C 32, 5D 29
2. Find the biggest total. 5C has the biggest total, 32 points.
   biggest = 32
3. Write the answer.
   5C

Check. 32 is bigger than every other total in the column. ✓

Watch out. Look at the total points column, not the races or the relay column.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read the whole-week row, then subtract the lemon total from the chocolate total.

1. Read the whole-week lemon sales. This is the bottom row of the lemon column.
   £211
2. Read the whole-week chocolate sales. This is the bottom row of the chocolate column.
   £244
3. Subtract the smaller value from the bigger value. The difference is how many more chocolate sales there were.
   £244 − £211 = £33
4. Write the answer.
   £33

Check. £211 + £33 = £244. ✓

Watch out. Use the whole-week row, not one day.

Key words. A table puts information in rows and columns. Read along a row for one item and down a column for one category. A total is the sum of a row or a column.

Method. Read the Rabbits column in the bottom row, which is the total for the whole school.

1. Find the Rabbits column. It is the fifth column of the table.
   Rabbits
2. Read the whole-school total. The bottom row adds up all four classes.
   2+1+4+3 = 10
3. Write the answer.
   10 rabbits

Check. The four classes have 2, 1, 4, 3 rabbits. ✓

Watch out. Add the four classes to check the total.

Key words. A timetable shows when things happen. A duration is how long something lasts: the finish time minus the start time.

Method. Find the bus, then read along to the Station.

1. Find the row for the bus that leaves Hilltop at 09:20. Each row is one bus.
   Bus 4
2. Read across to Station. Find the column for the stop.
   Station
3. Read the time where they meet. The time in that box is when the bus reaches the stop.
   09:42
4. Write the answer.
   09:42

Check. Start at 09:20 and add 22 minutes: 09:42. ✓

Watch out. Read along the same row for the same bus, so the times belong together.

Key words. A timetable shows when things happen. A duration is how long something lasts: the finish time minus the start time.

Method. Find the length of each session, then add them together.

1. Find the Family swim. It starts at 10:30 and finishes at 12:00.
   90 minutes
2. Find the Adult lengths. It starts at 08:00 and finishes at 09:15.
   75 minutes
3. Add the two lengths. Add the minutes together.
   90 + 75 = 165 minutes
4. Write the answer in hours and minutes. 165 minutes is 2 hours 45 minutes.
   2 hours 45 minutes

Check. 2 hours is 120 minutes, and 120 + 45 = 165. ✓

Watch out. Change the total minutes into hours and minutes.

Key words. A timetable shows when things happen. A duration is how long something lasts: the finish time minus the start time.

Method. Find the time from the start of Maths to the start of Science.

1. Read the start of Maths. Maths starts at 09:00.
   09:00
2. Read the start of Science. Science starts at 11:20.
   11:20
3. Find the time between the two starts. Subtract in minutes.
   680 − 540 = 140 minutes
4. Write the answer in hours and minutes. 140 minutes is 2 hours 20 minutes.
   2 hours 20 minutes

Check. 2 hours 20 minutes after 09:00 is 11:20. ✓

Watch out. Count from the start of Maths to the start of Science.

Key words. A line graph joins points with lines. The scale up the side shows the value of each gridline. The axis along the bottom shows the time, the week or the day.

Method. Find the time or week, go up to the line, then across to the scale.

1. Find 14:00 along the bottom of the graph. The bottom of the graph shows the time.
   14:00
2. Go up from 14:00 to the Temperature line. The point on the line shows the value at that time or week.
   up to the point
3. Go across to the scale on the side. The scale tells you how big the value is.
   reads 12 °C
4. Write the answer.
   12 °C

Check. The point sits on a gridline, so the reading is exact. ✓

Watch out. Each gridline is worth 2 °C, so count the gridlines carefully.

Key words. A line graph joins points with lines. The scale up the side shows the value of each gridline. The axis along the bottom shows the time, the week or the day.

Method. Look for the highest point, then read along to the bottom.

1. Find the highest point on the line. That point has the greatest value on the scale.
   highest point = 11,000 steps
2. Go down from that point to the bottom of the graph. The time or week under the point is the answer.
   down to Saturday
3. Write the answer.
   Saturday

Check. Every other point is lower than 11,000 steps. ✓

Watch out. Look at the height of the point, not the last point on the graph.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read both values, then subtract the smaller one from the bigger one.

1. Read the value for Aisha's plant in Week 4. Find the point on the line and read across to the scale.
   18 cm
2. Read the value for Leo's plant in Week 4. Do the same for the second point.
   16 cm
3. Subtract the smaller value from the bigger value. The difference tells you how much more one value is than the other.
   18 − 16 = 2
4. Write the answer.
   2 cm

Check. 16 + 2 = 18, so the difference is right. ✓

Watch out. Always subtract the smaller value from the bigger one, so the answer is not negative.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read both values, then subtract the smaller one from the bigger one.

1. Read the value for 11:30. Find the point on the line and read across to the scale.
   £80
2. Read the value for 13:00. Do the same for the second point.
   £160
3. Subtract the smaller value from the bigger value. The difference tells you how much more one value is than the other.
   160 − 80 = 80
4. Write the answer.
   £80

Check. 80 + 80 = 160, so the difference is right. ✓

Watch out. Always subtract the smaller value from the bigger one, so the answer is not negative.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Read the total points for 5C and 5D, then subtract.

1. Read the total for 5C. Use the total points column.
   32
2. Read the total for 5D. Use the total points column.
   29
3. Subtract the smaller total from the bigger total. The difference is how many more points 5C scored.
   32 − 29 = 3
4. Write the answer.
   3 points

Check. 29 + 3 = 32. ✓

Watch out. Subtract the smaller total from the bigger one.

Key words. A comparison says how much more or how much less one value is than another. The difference is found by subtracting the smaller value from the bigger one.

Method. Work out the difference between the lemon and chocolate sales on each day, then pick the biggest.

1. Find the difference on each day. Subtract the smaller number from the bigger one in each row.
   Monday 12, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 21, Thursday 1, Friday 4
2. Find the biggest difference. Wednesday has the biggest difference, £21.
   biggest = £21
3. Write the answer.
   Wednesday

Check. Lemon sales were £30 and chocolate sales were £51, so the difference is £21. ✓

Watch out. Use the size of the difference, not which column is bigger.

Key words. A timetable shows when things happen. A duration is how long something lasts: the finish time minus the start time.

Method. Find the length of each session, then add them together.

1. Find the Early swim. It starts at 06:45 and finishes at 07:45.
   60 minutes
2. Find the Lunchtime swim. It starts at 12:15 and finishes at 13:00.
   45 minutes
3. Add the two lengths. Add the minutes together.
   60 + 45 = 105 minutes
4. Write the answer in hours and minutes. 105 minutes is 1 hour 45 minutes.
   1 hour 45 minutes

Check. 60 + 45 = 105, and 60 + 45 = 105. ✓

Watch out. Change the minutes into hours and minutes at the end.

Key words. A timetable shows when things happen. A duration is how long something lasts: the finish time minus the start time.

Method. Find the buses that reach Station before 09:00, then choose the latest one.

1. Read the Station times. Each bus arrives at Station at the time in the last column.
   07:40 bus 08:02, 08:10 bus 08:32, 08:40 bus 09:02, 09:20 bus 09:42, 10:00 bus 10:22
2. Find the buses that arrive before 09:00. Leo must arrive before 09:00.
   07:40 bus (08:02), 08:10 bus (08:32)
3. Choose the latest of these buses. The 08:10 bus leaves Hilltop last of these buses.
   latest = 08:10 bus
4. Write the answer.
   The 08:10 bus, which arrives at 08:32

Check. The 08:40 bus reaches Station at 09:02, which is too late. ✓

Watch out. Check the arrival time of every bus, not only the first one.

Key words. A line graph joins points with lines. The scale up the side shows the value of each gridline. The axis along the bottom shows the time, the week or the day.

Method. Check each hour of the temperature graph, first from 09:00 to 13:00, then after 13:00.

1. Look at the rise from 09:00 to 13:00. Each hour the value goes up.
   6 → 8 → 10 → 12 → 14
2. Look at what happens after 13:00. The line goes down after 13:00.
   14 → 12 → 10
3. Decide. Ruby is right: the temperature rose every hour until 13:00 and then fell.
   Yes

Check. The line goes up at every point from 09:00 to 13:00, then down. ✓

Watch out. Check each pair of times in the order they happen.

Key words. A sum is the total of several values, found by adding them. On a graph or a table, read each value first, then add.

Method. Find the total for the whole week, then compare it with the target.

1. Read the steps for every day. We need every day from Monday to Sunday.
   Monday 6,000 steps, Tuesday 8,000 steps, Wednesday 5,000 steps, Thursday 9,000 steps, Friday 7,000 steps, Saturday 11,000 steps, Sunday 10,000 steps
2. Add the seven days. The total is the sum of every value.
   6,000 + 8,000 + 5,000 + 9,000 + 7,000 + 11,000 + 10,000 = 56,000
3. Compare with the target. Her target is 40,000 steps.
   56,000 − 40,000 = 16,000
4. Write the answer.
   Yes, by 16,000 steps

Check. 40,000 + 16,000 = 56,000. ✓

Watch out. Add all seven days, not just the weekdays.