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II.1 Interpret data on line plots with whole numbers

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What is a line plot?

A line plot is a graph that shows data using X marks above a number line. It helps display how often each value appears in a data set.

Example:
  • If you measured the heights of plants, you could create a line plot showing how many plants reached each height
  • Each X represents one item in your data set
Note

Line plots are sometimes called dot plots. They're excellent for showing patterns in small to medium data sets.

How to create a line plot

To make a line plot, organize your data on a number line and mark an X for each occurrence of a value.

Steps:
  • Collect your data and identify the range of values
  • Draw a horizontal number line that includes all values
  • For each data point, place an X above the corresponding value
  • Stack X's vertically when values repeat
  • Add a title and label your axes
Note

Make sure your number line has equal spacing between values for accurate representation.

Reading and interpreting line plots

Interpreting a line plot means understanding what the data tells you about frequency, range, and patterns.

What to look for:
  • Frequency: How many times each value appears
  • Mode: The value with the most X's
  • Range: The difference between highest and lowest values
  • Clusters: Groups where data points concentrate
  • Gaps: Values with no data points
Note

The height of the X's above a value tells you how frequently that number appears in your data.

Solving problems using line plots

Line plots help answer questions about data sets, including finding totals, comparing frequencies, and identifying patterns.

Common questions:
  • "How many items are in the data set?" (Count all X's)
  • "What is the most common value?" (Find the tallest stack)
  • "How many values are greater than 5?" (Count X's above 5)
  • "What is the difference between the highest and lowest values?"
Note

When solving problems, always refer back to the line plot rather than relying on memory of the original data.

Real-world applications

Line plots help organize and understand data from everyday situations, making information easier to analyze.

Real examples:
  • Tracking daily temperature readings over a month
  • Recording the number of books classmates read in a week
  • Measuring growth of seedlings in centimeters
  • Counting scores from repeated games or activities
Note

Line plots work best with whole number data and when you have 30 or fewer data points for clear visualization.