Statistics is one of 10 topics in the Grade 12 Mathematics CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. In a symmetric data set, the mean, median and mode are approximately:
Equal
Always exactly 0
Always different
Impossible to compare
Answer: Equal — Symmetric distributions have their mean, median and mode clustered near the same central value.
Medium
2. A data set with a long tail of high values, pulling the mean above the median, is described as:
Skewed right (positively skewed)
Skewed left (negatively skewed)
Symmetric
Bimodal
Answer: Skewed right (positively skewed) — A long tail toward higher values drags the mean upward relative to the median — this is positive (right) skew.
Medium
3. In a box-and-whisker plot, if the median line is closer to the bottom of the box (Q1) than the top (Q3), the data is likely:
Skewed right
Skewed left
Symmetric
Impossible to say
Answer: Skewed right — A median close to Q1 with a longer stretch up to Q3 (and possibly the upper whisker) indicates a longer right tail — right skew.
