Describe the data 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9

Step by step

The question

Question: describe the data 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9: its center, its spread and its shape.

1 Draw a dot plot

A number line from 5 to 9.

One dot for each number.

5 first.

And so on.

2 Find the center

There are 10 numbers.

The middle is between number 5 and number 6.

They are 7 and 7.

Halfway between is 7.

3 Find the spread

The spread: biggest minus smallest.

9 minus 5 is 4.

4 Describe the shape

The tallest stack, the peak, is at 7.

One peak, at 7.

Both halves look the same: it is symmetric.

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!

Let's look back.

First: draw a dot plot.

Then: find the center.

Then: find the spread.

Then: describe the shape.

Last: check.