Center, Spread & Shape of a Distribution Worksheets, Grade 6 (6.SP.A.2) – Free PDF + Answer Key

First page of the center, spread & shape of a distribution practice worksheet

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Watch: Mean, Median, Mode, and Range Explained Clearly

Key idea

Center — where the data clusters (median or mean). Spread — highest − lowest, one number. Shape — symmetric, skewed left, or skewed right, named for the direction of the long tail. When a distribution is symmetric the mean and median agree; a tail pulls the mean toward it.

Sample problems

Find the center (median) of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Find the spread of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Find the mean of 2, 4, 6, 8.
Find the median of 2, 4, 6, 8.

Common mistakes to watch for

Gave the spread as the list of values rather than a single number. Spread is one number: highest − lowest.
Answered skewed left because the peak is on the left. The name follows the tail, not the hump.
Answered skewed right because the peak is on the right — the same error mirrored.

The answer key explains each one, so you can tell what a wrong answer means.

How to use this set

Teach with the slides (about 15 minutes), or watch the video together.
Practice with the worksheet. Questions climb from fluency to application to reasoning.
Check understanding with the exit ticket, and send the homework home.
Mark with the answer key — each answer shows the steps and the most likely mistake.