Data and information
Data are raw facts: "12", "Monday", "mango". On their own they say little.
Information is data that is organised and worked on so that it means something: "Mango sold 90 cups this week, 18 a day on average."
Businesses use information to decide what to make, how much to buy, and when to sell.
Collect and organise: tables and spreadsheets
First collect data carefully. A wrong number gives a wrong decision.
Then organise it in a table. A spreadsheet is a table of rows and columns. Each box is a cell. It can add up numbers for you.
Our table: rows Monday to Friday; columns Mango and Lemon.
Calculate and chart
Four useful sums:
- Total: add all values. Mango: 12 + 18 + 15 + 20 + 25 = 90.
- Average: total ÷ number of values. 90 ÷ 5 = 18.
- Maximum: the biggest value (25).
- Minimum: the smallest value (12).
Lemon: total 50, average 10, maximum 12, minimum 8.
A bar chart shows each value as a bar so you can compare quickly. A line chart is good for a change over time. A trend that goes up is easy to see in a picture.
Decide and keep data safe
Mango averages 18 and rises each day. Lemon averages 10 and is flat. Decision: make more mango, but still keep a little lemon for those who ask.
Keep data safe: use a strong password (long, with letters and numbers), never share it, keep a backup copy in a second place, and do not show customers' private details to others.
Try it
For one week, write down how many glasses of water you drink each day. Make a table, find total, average and maximum, and draw a bar chart on paper. Then try the 3D slider to see how one changed number moves the average.
Key formulas and definitions
- Total = sum of all values
- Average = total ÷ number of values
- Maximum = biggest value, minimum = smallest value
- Data → organise → information → decision
Worked examples
1. Mango cups: 12, 18, 15, 20, 25. Find the total and average.
Total = 90. Average = 90 ÷ 5 = 18.
2. Lemon cups: 10, 9, 11, 8, 12. Find total, average, maximum and minimum.
Total 50, average 10, maximum 12, minimum 8.
3. On Saturday mango sells 30. What is the new 6-day average?
New total = 90 + 30 = 120. Average = 120 ÷ 6 = 20.
4. Which chart would you draw to show how mango sales change from Monday to Friday?
A bar chart or line chart with days across and cups up. The rising bars show the trend.
Common mistakes
- Typing a wrong number and trusting the result. Check the data first.
- Dividing the total by the wrong count. Count the values.
- Reading an average as "every day was exactly that". It is a middle value.
- Using one weak password and no backup. Use a strong password and two copies.