SPS SPS SM Statistics 2024 September — Question 4 7 marks

Exam BoardSPS
ModuleSPS SM Statistics (SPS SM Statistics)
Year2024
SessionSeptember
Marks7
TopicData representation
TypeInappropriate graph type selection
DifficultyEasy -1.8 This is a straightforward data interpretation question requiring only reading values from radar diagrams and making simple comparisons. No calculations, statistical concepts, or mathematical reasoning are needed—just basic chart reading and verbal description of patterns. Well below average difficulty for A-level maths.
Spec2.02i Select/critique data presentation

The radar diagrams illustrate some population figures from the 2011 census results. \includegraphics{figure_4} Each radius represents an age group, as follows:
Radius123456
Age group0-1718-2930-4445-5960-7475+
The distance of each dot from the centre represents the number of people in the relevant age group.
  1. The scales on the two diagrams are different. State an advantage and a disadvantage of using different scales in order to make comparisons between the ages of people in these two Local Authorities. [2]
  2. Approximately how many people aged 45 to 59 were there in Liverpool? [1]
  3. State the main two differences between the age profiles of the two Local Authorities. [2]
  4. James makes the following claim. "Assuming that there are no significant movements of population either into or out of the two regions, the 2021 census results are likely to show an increase in the number of children in Liverpool and a decrease in the number of children in Rutland." Use the radar diagrams to give a justification for this claim. [2]

The radar diagrams illustrate some population figures from the 2011 census results.

\includegraphics{figure_4}

Each radius represents an age group, as follows:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
Radius & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 \\
\hline
Age group & 0-17 & 18-29 & 30-44 & 45-59 & 60-74 & 75+ \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

The distance of each dot from the centre represents the number of people in the relevant age group.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item The scales on the two diagrams are different. State an advantage and a disadvantage of using different scales in order to make comparisons between the ages of people in these two Local Authorities. [2]

\item Approximately how many people aged 45 to 59 were there in Liverpool? [1]

\item State the main two differences between the age profiles of the two Local Authorities. [2]

\item James makes the following claim.

"Assuming that there are no significant movements of population either into or out of the two regions, the 2021 census results are likely to show an increase in the number of children in Liverpool and a decrease in the number of children in Rutland."

Use the radar diagrams to give a justification for this claim. [2]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{SPS SPS SM Statistics 2024 Q4 [7]}}