Grade 8 Math · Probability and Statistics
Virginia SOL 8.PS.2
Virginia SOL 8.PS.2 is part of the Probability and Statistics strand in Grade 8 Math (Math). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students apply the data cycle with a focus on boxplots. Below is what 8.PS.2 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice 8.PS.2 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL 8.PS.2 means
Apply the data cycle with a focus on boxplots.
Practice Grade 8 Math SOL questions
Free Grade 8 Math questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on 8.PS.2 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. What value of c makes the equation 5(c − 0.15) = 2.50 true?
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Answer: D — 0.65
2. A submarine receives an echo from a ship 5,000 yards away in 6.1 seconds. An echo from a second ship is received in 8.4 seconds. Which proportion can be used to find the distance x to the second ship?
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Answer: F — 6.1/5000 = 8.4/x
3. In the equation 3y = 7x − 9, the circled part is “7x − 9.” Which term best describes it?
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Answer: A — expression
4. There are 48 newborn girls in a nursery. For every 3 girls there are 2 boys. How many boys are there?
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Answer: H — 32
Skills you’ll practice for 8.PS.2
- Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on boxplots.
- Determine the data needed to answer a formulated question and collect the data using observations, measurement, surveys, or experiments.
- Determine how statistical bias might affect whether the data collected from the sample is representative of a larger population.
- Organize and represent a numeric data set of no more than 20 items using boxplots, with or without technology.
- Identify and describe the lower extreme (minimum), upper extreme (maximum), median, upper quartile, lower quartile, range, and interquartile range given a data set represented by a boxplot.
- Describe how the presence of an extreme data point (outlier) affects the shape and spread of the data distribution of a boxplot.
- Analyze data represented in a boxplot by making observations and drawing conclusions.
- Compare and analyze two data sets represented in boxplots.
- Given a contextual situation, justify which graphical representation (e.g., pictographs, bar graphs, line graphs, line plots/dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, circle graphs, histograms, boxplots) best represents the data.
- Identify components of graphical displays that can be misleading.
Key concepts covered by 8.PS.2
- data cycle
- formulate questions
- boxplots
- data collection
- observations
- measurement
- surveys
- experiments
- statistical bias
- data representativeness
- sample
- population
- data organization
- numeric data
- technology
- boxplot
- lower extreme
- upper extreme
- median
- quartiles
- range
- interquartile range
- outlier
- data distribution
- shape
- spread
- data analysis
- conclusions
- data comparison
- analysis
- graphical representation
- contextual situation
- data representation
- pictographs
- bar graphs
- line graphs
- histograms
- graphical displays
- misleading components
How to study and practice SOL 8.PS.2
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether 8.PS.2 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Related Grade 8 Math standards in Probability and Statistics
Frequently asked questions about SOL 8.PS.2
What is Virginia SOL 8.PS.2?
SOL 8.PS.2 is a Grade 8 Math Standard of Learning in the Probability and Statistics strand. It expects students to apply the data cycle with a focus on boxplots.
What skills does SOL 8.PS.2 cover?
SOL 8.PS.2 is assessed on 10 skills: formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on boxplots; determine the data needed to answer a formulated question and collect the data using observations, measurement, surveys, or experiments; determine how statistical bias might affect whether the data collected from the sample is representative of a larger population; organize and represent a numeric data set of no more than 20 items using boxplots, with or without technology; identify and describe the lower extreme (minimum), upper extreme (maximum), median, upper quartile, lower quartile, range, and interquartile range given a data set represented by a boxplot; describe how the presence of an extreme data point (outlier) affects the shape and spread of the data distribution of a boxplot; analyze data represented in a boxplot by making observations and drawing conclusions; compare and analyze two data sets represented in boxplots; given a contextual situation, justify which graphical representation (e.g., pictographs, bar graphs, line graphs, line plots/dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, circle graphs, histograms, boxplots) best represents the data; identify components of graphical displays that can be misleading.
What strand of Grade 8 Math is SOL 8.PS.2 in?
SOL 8.PS.2 belongs to the Probability and Statistics reporting strand of the Grade 8 Math Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL 8.PS.2?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether 8.PS.2 is already solid, then work the 10 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.