# 11. Turn numbers into better questions

**Start here:** Enter the complete fictional figures below. Ask for observations, calculate each ratio yourself and separate an observed difference from an explanation of its cause.

Practice with fictional data. For real work, your reporting and privacy roles must approve the definitions, aggregation and sharing first; removing names alone does not guarantee anonymity.

```
Fictional school snapshots: this month, 40 enrolled and 8 more than
40 hours behind; last month, 42 enrolled and 6 more than 40 hours
behind. Definitions match for this practice, but populations may
have changed. Calculate the shares and percentage-point change.
Give one supported observation and three questions for Education.
Do not infer a cause or identify individual students.
```

Check with a calculator: 20% versus about 14.3%, a rise of about 5.7 percentage points. The data do not establish why. A useful follow-up asks what additional context or comparable period would help, rather than assigning blame.

Use [the outcomes sheet](https://cowanworks.com/aicourse/templates/recipes?section=4) to keep the definitions, calculation and next human question together. Official reporting still uses its governing definitions and school process.

[Numbers lesson](https://cowanworks.com/aicourse/learn/course-3/lesson-6)