Describe the data 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6

Step by step

The question

Question: describe the data 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6: its center, its spread and its shape.

1 Draw a dot plot

A number line from 2 to 6.

One dot for each number.

2 first.

And so on.

2 Find the center

There are 9 numbers.

We count in from both ends to the middle one: number 5.

On the dot plot, that is 4.

The median is the center.

3 Find the spread

The spread: biggest minus smallest.

6 minus 2 is 4.

4 Describe the shape

The tallest stack, the peak, is at 4.

One peak, at 4.

Both halves look the same: it is symmetric.

5 Check

Let's check: we count the dots.

9 dots for 9 numbers.

Every number is crossed out.

So the dot plot is right, and so is the answer!

Let's look back.

First: draw a dot plot.

Then: find the center.

Then: find the spread.

Then: describe the shape.

Last: check.