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Dot plot of 0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 0, 1

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Bar charts and dot plots · Statistics

Step by step

The question

Question: draw a dot plot of 0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 0 and 1.

Which value is the most common?

0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 0, 1

1 Draw the number line

The number line goes from the smallest number, 0, to the biggest, 3.

2 Put the dots

The first number is 0.

We cross it out, and put a dot over 0.

Next is 1: a dot over 1.

Another 1: its dot goes on top of the first one.

Every number is crossed out, so every number has its dot.

3 Read the plot

The tallest stack is over 1.

It has 4 dots.

Careful!

The mode is the number under the tallest stack, 1.

Not how many dots it has.

Careful: not mode = 4 ✗

So the most common value, the mode, is 1.

= mode = 1

4 Check

Let's check in the list: 1 comes 4 times.

No number comes more often.

So it is right!

1 comes 4 times

Let's look back.

First: draw the number line.

Then: put the dots.

Then: read the plot.

Last: check.

Answer
= mode = 1

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Dot plot of 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 0, 0, 1. Which value is the most common?
Show the answer
mode = 1

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