Dot plot of 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 4

Step by step

The question

Question: draw a dot plot of 1, 2, 2, 3, 2 and 4.

Which value is the most common?

1 Draw the number line

The number line goes from the smallest number, 1, to the biggest, 4.

2 Put the dots

The first number is 1.

We cross it out, and put a dot over 1.

Next is 2: a dot over 2.

Another 2: 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 2.

It has 3 dots.

Careful!

The mode is the number under the tallest stack, 2.

Not how many dots it has.

So the most common value, the mode, is 2.

4 Check

Let's check in the list: 2 comes 3 times.

No number comes more often.

So it is right!

Let's look back.

First: draw the number line.

Then: put the dots.

Then: read the plot.

Last: check.