Step by step
The question
Question: describe the data 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 8: its center, its spread and its shape.
0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 8
1 Draw a dot plot
A number line from 0 to 8.
One dot for each number.
0 first.
And so on.
2 Find the center
There are 10 numbers.
The middle is between number 5 and number 6.
= 10 numbers: middle = numbers 5 and 6
They are 2 and 2.
Halfway between is 2.
= center: median = 2
3 Find the spread
The spread: biggest minus smallest.
8 minus 0 is 8.
= spread: range = 8 − 0 = 8
4 Describe the shape
The tallest stack, the peak, is at 2.
One peak, at 2.
No dots at 5, 6 and 7: a gap.
Most dots are on the left.
A few spread out to the right: a tail to the right.
= shape: peak at 2, gap at 5, 6 and 7, tail to the right
5 Check
Let's check: we count the dots.
10 dots for 10 numbers.
Every number is crossed out.
So the dot plot is right, and so is the answer!
10 dots, 10 numbers
Let's look back.
First: draw a dot plot.
Then: find the center.
Then: find the spread.
Then: describe the shape.
Last: check.
Answer
= shape: peak at 2, gap at 5, 6 and 7, tail to the right