Mean, Median, and Mode Word Problems (A) - The Sports Season

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

Mean, median, and mode word problems focused on sports data sets. Students compute each statistic from given game or session results, then answer targeted follow-up questions that highlight how outliers affect the mean and how the median and mode reflect typical values. An included challenge problem extends the work by using a season average to determine the missing score in the final game, followed by finding the median of all scores. An answer key supplies the computed results and reasoning cues.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Directions

Definitions and strategy

Problems

Standard problems 1-6

Challenge problem 7

Answer Key

Name: Mean, Median, and Mode Word Problems (A) THE SPORTS SEASON Directions: For each problem: find the mean, median, and mode of the data set. Then answer the follow-up question. Show your work and circle your answer. Remember: Mean = sum ÷ number of values. Median = middle value when ordered (average two middle values if even count) . Mode = most frequent value (write ‘No mode’ if no value repeats) . Use the median when an outlier skews the mean. Use the mean when data is balanced. 1. A basketball player scored the following points in 7 games: 14, 18, 22, 18, 25, 18, 31. Find the mean, median, and mode. 2. A soccer team recorded goals scored in 8 matches: 0, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 1, 4. Find the mean, median, and mode. Mashup Math LLC | Al[l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com](l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com) 3. A swimmer recorded lap times (seconds) over 6 sessions: 48, 52, 50, 48, 55, 48. Find the mean, median, and mode. 4. A softball team’s home run totals for 9 games: 0, 0, 1, 2, 0, 3, 1, 0, 2. Find the mean, median, and mode. 5. A tennis player’s games won in 7 matches: 6, 4, 6, 6, 3, 6, 5. Find the mean, median, and mode. Mashup Math LLC | Al[l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com](l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com) 6. A track team’s finishing times (minutes) in 8 races: 4.2, 3.8, 4.5, 3.8, 4.0, 4.2, 3.9, 4.2. Find the mean, median, and mode. Challenge Problem 7. Over a full season, a basketball player averaged 18 points per game across 12 games. In 11 of those games he scored: 14, 20, 16, 18, 22, 15, 19, 17, 21, 16, 20. a) What did he score in the 12th game? b) Then find the median of all 12 scores. Mashup Math LLC | Al[l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com](l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com) ANSWER KEY 1.) 1. ) Mean = 20.9 Median = 18 Mode = 18 Follow-up: Mode (18)—it appears most often and is not inflated by the high score of 31. 2.) 2. ) Mean = 2 Median = 1.5 Mode = 1 Follow-up: The mean is 2, but the median (1 .5) and mode (1) suggest most games had fewer. The mean is pulled up by two high-scoring matches. 3.) 3. ) Mean = 50.2 Median = 49 Mode = 48 Follow-up: Mode (48 sec)—it appears 3 times, showing the most common lap time. 4.) 4. ) Mean = 1 Median = 1 Mode = 0 Follow-up: The median is 0, meaning in at least half the games the team hit no home runs. 5.) 5. ) Mean = 5.1 Median = 6 Mode = 6 Follow-up: With 3: mean≈5 .14. Without 3: mean=33÷6=5 .5. The mean increases by about 0.36. 6.) 6. ) Mean = 4.1 Median = 4.1 Mode = 4.2 Follow-up: Mode (4 .2 min) appears 3 times; mean≈4 .1 min. Either is reasonable since no strong outliers. 7.) 7 (Challenge) . a) 18 points Total needed: 18×12=216 . Known sum: 14+20+16+18+22+15+19+17+21+16+20=198 . Game 12: 216−198=18 points. All 12 sorted: [14,15,16,16,17,18,18,19,20,20,21,22] . b ) Median=(18+18)÷2= 18 Mashup Math LLC | Al[l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com](l Rights Reserved | Get More K-12 Math Worksheets at www.mashupmath.com)

FAQs

How do you find the mean, median, and mode for each sports data set?

Mean is the sum divided by the number of values. Median is the middle value after ordering (average the two middle values if there are an even number). Mode is the most frequent value; if none repeat, write “No mode”.

When should you use the median instead of the mean?

Use the median when an outlier skews the mean, since the median better represents the center of the data.

How is the missing score in the challenge problem found?

Multiply the season average by 12 to get the total points needed, subtract the sum of the 11 known game scores, and the difference gives the 12th game score.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Connor