ACT Science Flashcards: Interpreting Data From Tables

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Interpreting Data From Tables, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ACT Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the mean of the table values $4, 6, 8$?

Answer: $6$. Sum divided by count: $(4+6+8)/3=6$.

Flashcard 2: Find the sum of the dataset: 4, 6, 8, 10.

Answer: The sum is 28. Add all values: $4 + 6 + 8 + 10 = 28$.

Flashcard 3: Which column shows consistent growth if values are 2, 4, 8?

Answer: Exponential growth. Each value doubles: geometric growth pattern.

Flashcard 4: If Column B has values 3, 4, 5, what is the percentage increase from 3 to 5?

Answer: 66.67%. Change from 3 to 5 is 2/3 = 66.67%.

Flashcard 5: What is the average of two replicate table measurements $10.2$ and $10.6$?

Answer: $10.4$. Sum divided by two: $(10.2+10.6)/2$.

Flashcard 6: Which value is the mode in this dataset: 1, 2, 2, 3, 4?

Answer: The mode is 2. The value 2 appears twice, more than others.

Flashcard 7: Find the sum of this dataset: 7, 9, 11, 13.

Answer: The sum is 40. Add all values: $7 + 9 + 11 + 13 = 40$.

Flashcard 8: Determine the smallest value in the dataset: 15, 12, 9, 18.

Answer: The smallest value is 9. Compare all values to find the smallest.

Flashcard 9: What is the range of the table values $3, 7, 7, 10$?

Answer: $7$. Maximum minus minimum: $10-3=7$.

Flashcard 10: What does the unit shown in a table header indicate about every value in that column?

Answer: Each entry is measured in that unit. The unit applies uniformly to all data in that column.

Flashcard 11: What is the correct first step when interpreting a scientific data table?

Answer: Read the title and all headers (including units). Understanding structure prevents misinterpretation of data.

Flashcard 12: What is the independent variable in a table when one column is explicitly labeled as such?

Answer: The column labeled independent variable. The manipulated variable is what experimenters control.

Flashcard 13: What is the dependent variable in a table when one column is explicitly labeled as such?

Answer: The column labeled dependent variable. The response variable is what experimenters measure.

Flashcard 14: What does a blank cell in a data table most commonly represent in ACT Science contexts?

Answer: No data recorded or not applicable for that condition. Missing data indicates measurement wasn't taken.

Flashcard 15: What does the symbol “$\times 10^n$” in a table header tell you to do to each listed value?

Answer: Multiply each listed value by $10^n$. Scientific notation scaling factor for large/small values.

Flashcard 16: What does a footnote marker (such as “*”) next to a table value indicate?

Answer: A special condition or note applies to that value. Footnotes provide additional context or exceptions.

Flashcard 17: What is the meaning of “mean” in a table summary row labeled “Mean”?

Answer: Average value: sum divided by number of entries. Standard statistical measure of central tendency.

Flashcard 18: What is the meaning of “range” for a set of table values?

Answer: Range $=$ maximum minus minimum. Measures the spread of data values.

Flashcard 19: What is the meaning of “percent change” from an initial to a final table value?

Answer: $\frac{\text{final}-\text{initial}}{\text{initial}}\times 100\%$. Standard formula for relative change calculation.

Flashcard 20: What is the meaning of “rate” when computed from two table entries over time?

Answer: Rate $=\frac{\Delta \text{quantity}}{\Delta \text{time}}$. Change per unit time measures process speed.

Flashcard 21: What is the correct way to compare two conditions in a table when the units differ?

Answer: Convert to consistent units before comparing. Unit consistency is required for valid comparisons.

Flashcard 22: What does it mean if a column is labeled “Concentration (mg/L)”?

Answer: Each value is a concentration measured in $\text{mg}/\text{L}$. Mass per volume unit indicates solution strength.

Flashcard 23: What does a table entry written as “$3.2\pm 0.1$” typically represent?

Answer: A value with uncertainty: $3.2$ with margin $0.1$. Plus-minus notation shows measurement uncertainty.

Flashcard 24: Identify the correct rule for selecting a value when asked for the “closest” table value.

Answer: Choose the entry with smallest absolute difference. Minimize distance to find the nearest match.

Flashcard 25: What is the median of the ordered values $2, 5, 9, 12, 20$ in a table row?

Answer: $9$. Middle value when data is arranged in order.

Flashcard 26: What is the percent change from $50$ to $65$ for a table value that increases?

Answer: $30\%$. $(65-50)/50 \times 100\% = 30\%$.

Flashcard 27: What is the percent change from $80$ to $60$ for a table value that decreases?

Answer: $-25\%$. $(60-80)/80 \times 100\% = -25\%$.

Flashcard 28: What is the rate if a table shows mass increases from $10\,\text{g}$ to $16\,\text{g}$ in $3\,\text{s}$?

Answer: $2\,\text{g}/\text{s}$. Change in mass over time: $(16-10)/3=2$.

Flashcard 29: What is the slope between table points $(t, y)$ of $(2, 5)$ and $(6, 13)$?

Answer: $2$. Rise over run: $(13-5)/(6-2)=2$.

Flashcard 30: What is $y$ at $x=4$ if a table shows a linear pattern: $(1,3)$, $(2,5)$, $(3,7)$?

Answer: $9$. Pattern increases by 2 each step: $7+2=9$.