\( 4,5,5,5,6,9,9,18,20 \) The mean is smaller than the mode.

First, let's calculate the mean and mode of the given data set \( 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 9, 9, 18, 20 \). The mode is the number that appears most frequently, which is \( 5 \), as it occurs three times. The mean is calculated by adding all the numbers (totaling \( 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 9 + 9 + 18 + 20 = 81 \)) and dividing by the number of values (which is \( 9 \)), giving a mean of \( \frac{81}{9} = 9 \). In this case, \( 9 \) (mean) is greater than \( 5 \) (mode), so the initial statement is incorrect! You can easily spot differences like this by visualizing your data. Creating a simple bar graph of the values can show how frequently each number occurs, making it easier to identify the mode and see the spread of your data, helping you avoid confusion in calculations. Also, don't forget to double-check your work; it's amazing how a small mistake can lead to a completely different conclusion!