Solving Equations Using Basketball Data

Students use real basketball data to explore how equations can model performance and support decisions — classifying "good" performance with graphs and summary measures, creating their own performance metrics by combining variables into equations, then solving algebraically for target performance.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Subject Area Mathematics
Grade Band 6-8
Technology Tool CODAP
Class Time Estimate 3
Data Science Focus
  • 6-8.C.5.1a Explore how relationships in data connect characteristics, including patterns like increasing, decreasing, or no connection.
  • 6-8.C.5.1b Recognize that models simplify complex systems and have limitations.
  • 6-8.C.5.1c Recognize that relationships in data do not always imply causation. e.g., ice cream sales and shark attacks both increase in the summer, but one doesn't cause the other
  • 6-8.C.5.2a Identify relationships between variables and represent them using tables, graphs, or diagrams (e.g., decision trees, flowcharts).
  • 6-8.C.5.2b Use simple mathematical or computational models (e.g., statistical summaries, spreadsheet formulas) to describe patterns and relationships in data.
  • 6-8.C.5.2c Test and refine models by comparing predictions to actual data values.
Standards Alignment
  • 7.EE.B.4
  • 8.EE.C.7
Prerequisites PEMDAS; variables and expressions; operations with decimals.
Version 1.0
Date Created July 8, 2026
Last Updated July 8, 2026