Grouped Discrete Data & Continuous
Data
Data: Categorical and Numerical
Dot Plots
Stem and Leaf Plots
Back-to-Back Stem and Leaf Plots
Grouped Frequency Tables
Histograms and Bar Graphs
Slide 10.1- 1
Dot Plots
A dot plot, or line plot, provides a quick and simple
way of organizing numerical data. They are
typically used when there is only one group of data
with fewer than 50 values.
Slide 10.1- 2
Dot Plots
A dot plot for the class scores consists of a
horizontal number line on which each score is
denoted by a dot, or an x, above the corresponding
number-line value. The number of x’s above each
score indicates how many times each score
occurred.
Slide 10.1- 3
Dot plots
Four students
A gap occurs
Two students scored 82.
between scores 88
scored 72.
and 97.
The score 52
Scores 97 and 98
is an outlier
form a cluster
Slide 10.1- 4
Dot Plots
a data point whose value is
Outlier significantly greater than or
less than other values
Cluster an isolated group of points
a large space between data
Gap
points
data value(s) that occur most
Mode
often.
Slide 10.1- 5
Dot Plots
If a dot plot is constructed on grid paper, then
shading in the squares with x’s and adding a
vertical axis depicting the scale allows the
formation of a bar graph.
Slide 10.1- 6
Stem and Leaf Plots
The stem and leaf plot is similar to the dot plot,
but the number line is usually vertical, and digits
are used rather than x’s.
9 | 7 represents 97.
Slide 10.1- 7
Stem and Leaf Plots
In an ordered stem and leaf plot, the data are in
order from least to greatest on a given row.
Slide 10.1- 8
Stem and Leaf Plots
Advantages of stem-and-leaf plots:
They are easily created by hand.
Do not become unmanageable when volume of
data is large.
No data values are lost.
Disadvantage of stem-and-leaf plots:
We lose information – we may know a data value
exists, but we cannot tell which one it is.
Slide 10.1- 9
Stem and Leaf Plots
How to construct a stem-and-leaf plot:
1. Find the high and low values of the data.
2. Decide on the stems.
3. List the stems in a column from least to
greatest.
4. Use each piece of data to create leaves to the
right of the stems on the appropriate rows.
Slide 10.1- 10
Stem and Leaf Plots
5. If the plot is to be ordered, list the leaves in
order from least to greatest.
6. Add a legend identifying the values
represented by the stems and leaves.
7. Add a title explaining what the graph is about.
Slide 10.1- 11
Back-to-Back Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Back-to-back stem-and-leaf plots can be used to
compare two sets of related data. In this plot,
there is one stem and two sets of leaves, one to
the left and one to the right of the stem.
Slide 10.1- 12
Stem and Leaf Plots
A stem and leaf plot shows how wide a range of
values the data cover, where the values are
concentrated, whether the data have any
symmetry, where gaps in the data are, and
whether any data points are decidedly different
from the rest of the data.
Slide 10.1- 13
Frequency Tables
A grouped frequency table shows how many
times data occurs in a range.
The data for the
ages of the
presidents at death
are summarized in
the table.
Slide 10.1- 14
Frequency Tables
Characteristics of Frequency Tables
Each class interval has the same size.
The size of each interval can be computed by
subtracting the lower endpoint from the higher
and adding 1, e.g., 49 – 40 +1 = 10.
We know how many data values occur within a
particular interval but we do not know the
particular data values themselves.
Slide 10.1- 15
Frequency Tables
Characteristics of Frequency Tables
As the interval size increases, information is lost.
Classes (intervals) should not overlap.
Slide 10.1- 16
Histograms
A histogram is made up of adjoining rectangles, or
bars.
The bars are all the same width. The scale on the
vertical axis must be uniform.
Continuous data is numerical data which has
values within a continuous range. (Histograms are
very good at presenting this type of data)
Slide 10.1- 17
Histograms
The death ages are shown on the horizontal axis
and the numbers along the vertical axis give the
scale for the frequency.
Frequencies
are shown by
Uniform scale
the heights of
vertical bars
each having
same width.
Slide 10.1- 18
Bar Graphs
A bar graph typically has spaces between the
bars and is used to depict categorical data.
The bars representing
Tom, Dick, Mary, Joy, and
Jane could be
placed in any order.
Slide 10.1- 19
Histograms and Bar Graphs
A distinguishing feature between histograms and
bar graphs is that there is no ordering that has to
be done among the bars of the bar graph, whereas
there is an order for a histogram.
Slide 10.1- 20
Continuous and Discrete Data
Continuous-Data that is measured
Discrete-Date that is counted
Slide 10.1- 21
Homework
6C 1-3
6D 3
Slide 10.1- 22
