Update question_fallback_router.py

question_fallback_router.py

@@ -283,20 +283,53 @@ class QuestionFallbackRouter:
             )
 
         elif topic == "statistics":
-            generic.update(
-                {
-                    "first_step": "Identify which measure the question wants before calculating anything.",
-                    "hint_1": "Check whether this is asking for mean, median, range, or another measure.",
-                    "hint_2": "Set up the data in a clean order if needed.",
-                    "hint_3": "Use the correct formula or definition for that exact measure.",
-                    "hint_ladder": [
-                        "Check whether this is asking for mean, median, range, or another measure.",
-                        "Set up the data in a clean order if needed.",
-                        "Use the correct formula or definition for that exact measure.",
-                    ],
-                    "common_trap": "Using the wrong statistical measure because the wording was skimmed too quickly.",
-                }
-            )
+            qlow = (question_text or "").lower()
+            
+            if any(k in qlow for k in ["variability", "spread", "standard deviation"]):
+                generic.update(
+                    {
+                        "first_step": "This is about spread, so compare how far the values sit from the center.",
+                        "hint_1": "Check which dataset has values furthest from its middle value.",
+                        "hint_2": "Since each set has three numbers, compare how spread out the smallest and largest values are.",
+                        "hint_3": "The set with the biggest overall spread has the greatest variability here.",
+                        "hint_ladder": [
+                            "Check which dataset has values furthest from its middle value.",
+                            "Compare the distance from the middle to the outer numbers in each set.",
+                            "The set with the largest spread has the greatest variability.",
+                        ],
+                        "walkthrough_steps": [
+                            "Notice that the question is about variability, not the average.",
+                            "For each dataset, identify the middle value.",
+                            "Compare how far the outer values sit from that middle value.",
+                            "The dataset with the widest spread is the most variable.",
+                        ],
+                        "method_steps": [
+                            "For short answer choices like these, you can often compare spread visually instead of computing a full standard deviation.",
+                            "Look at how tightly clustered or widely spaced the numbers are.",
+                        ],
+                        "answer_path": [
+                            "Identify that the question is testing spread rather than center.",
+                            "Compare how far the values extend away from the middle in each dataset.",
+                            "Choose the dataset with the widest spread.",
+                        ],
+                        "common_trap": "Comparing means instead of comparing spread.",
+                    }
+                )
+            else:
+                generic.update(
+                    {
+                        "first_step": "Identify which measure the question wants before calculating anything.",
+                        "hint_1": "Check whether this is asking for mean, median, range, or another measure.",
+                        "hint_2": "Set up the data in a clean order if needed.",
+                        "hint_3": "Use the correct formula or definition for that exact measure.",
+                        "hint_ladder": [
+                            "Check whether this is asking for mean, median, range, or another measure.",
+                            "Set up the data in a clean order if needed.",
+                            "Use the correct formula or definition for that exact measure.",
+                        ],
+                        "common_trap": "Using the wrong statistical measure because the wording was skimmed too quickly.",
+                    }
+                )
 
         if has_options:
             generic["answer_path"] = list(generic.get("answer_path", [])) + [