Mathematics
Grade 6
15 min
Create line plots (Tutorial only)
Create line plots (Tutorial only)
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify appropriate data sets for representation on a line plot.
Determine and select an appropriate scale and interval for a number line.
Accurately plot data points using 'X' marks above the number line.
Label all parts of a line plot correctly, including the title and number line description.
Interpret and analyze data presented in a line plot to answer questions.
Construct a complete line plot from a given set of numerical data.
Ever wonder how to quickly see patterns in a list of numbers, like everyone's favorite ice cream flavor or how many siblings your friends have? 📊 Line plots are a super cool way to make sense of data visually!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to organize numerical data and display it clearly using a spec...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Line PlotA graph that displays data using 'X' marks above a number line, where each 'X' represents one data point.A line plot showing the number of siblings students have might have 'X's above 0, 1, 2, 3 on a number line.
Data SetA collection of related numerical information or observations.The heights of 10 students in inches: {58, 60, 59, 60, 61, 58, 60, 59, 60, 62}.
Number LineA straight line on which numbers are marked at regular intervals, used as the base for a line plot.A line with marks for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., extending in one or both directions.
ScaleThe range of values and the intervals chosen for the number line to represent the data.If data ranges from 5 to 20, a scale from 0 to 25 with intervals of 5 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 2...
3
Core Formulas
Rule for Choosing a Scale
The number line's scale must include the minimum and maximum values of your data set and use consistent intervals.
To ensure all data points can be plotted, identify the smallest and largest numbers in your data. Your number line should start at or below the minimum and end at or above the maximum. The spaces between numbers (intervals) must be equal, e.g., counting by 0.5s, 1s, 2s, etc.
Rule for Plotting Data Points
For each data value, place an 'X' (or dot) directly above its corresponding number on the number line. If a value appears multiple times, stack the 'X's vertically.
Every 'X' represents one piece of data. If a number appears twice in your data set, you'll place two 'X's above that number...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A line plot titled 'Daily Sit-ups' shows data for 12 days. It currently has: 3 'X's at 20, 4 'X's at 25, and 2 'X's at 30. All the remaining data points are at the value 22. How many 'X's should be placed at 22?
A.2
B.3
C.4
D.12
Challenging
A survey asked 9 students how many books they read in a month. Four students said 2 books, one student said 3 books, two students said 0 books, and two students said 4 books. On a line plot of this data, which value will have the highest stack of 'X's?
A.2
B.0
C.4
D.3
Challenging
A line plot is made for the data: 10, 12, 15, 11, 12. The scale correctly runs from 10 to 15. If a new data point, an outlier of 2, is added to the set, how must the number line be changed to accommodate all the data?
A.The number line does not need to change.
B.The scale must be extended to start at 2 (or lower).
C.The interval must be changed from 1 to 2.
D.The scale must be extended to end at 20.
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