Final answer:
Data in middle school mathematics refers to collected observations or measurements, which can be numbers or words. These pieces of information are used to calculate statistical measures like the mean or median and help inform decisions in a variety of fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
In middle school, the definition of data refers to individual pieces of information that can be measured or observed. Data can be either numbers such as scores on exams, or they can be words like the colors of backpacks. When you collect data in a scientific investigation, you are gathering observations that can be analyzed to draw conclusions or test hypotheses. For instance, data can help you calculate statistical measures such as the mean or the median. The mean is the average of a set of numbers, obtained by adding them together and dividing by the number of data points. On the other hand, the median is the middle value that divides ordered data into two halves.
Data can be qualitative, such as colors or types, or quantitative, including continuous or discrete numbers. For example, if a group of students lists the number of extracurricular activities they participate in, the resulting numbers are considered quantitative data because they represent a countable number of activities.
Understanding and interpreting data is a critical skill in our information-rich society, where data can inform decisions in numerous fields, from politics to consumer preferences.