Algebra I
Activity:
Box Plots & Histograms
Posted on Apr 24, 2008
Topic: Data Analysis & Statistics
Students create and explore a box plot and histogram for a data set. They then compare the two data displays by viewing them together and use the comparison to draw conclusions about the data.
Downloads
Select Teacher or Student files from the drop down menu. Click on the file type you want to download.
Downloaded: 1938
Activity Key Steps:
In problem 1, students are given a scenario, they use the data supplied to discuss any visible trends when studying the data.
Students create a box plot from the data in the spreadsheet. Tell students that moving the cursor over a section of the box plot displays the range of that section, while clicking on a section displays a dot for each data value.
Some students may think that the line in the center of the box represents the mean. To clarify the difference between the mean and median, plot the mean on the data display.
In problem 2, students use the same information to create a histogram.
Students study and manipulate the histogram to answer the questions. They explore the relationship of the median on the histogram and plot the mean.
Students move on and compare a box plot and a histogram. The side-by-side layout is powerful and very useful because selecting a portion of the graph on one data display highlights the corresponding portion of the other display as well.
At the end of this activity, students will be able to interpret and represent data displayed in histograms and box-and-whisker plots. They will also be able to decide which type of graph gives a suitable representation on data depending on the situation.