How to Make a Number Line Plot

GRADE 5
Latest update to this document: 25 February 2003

WHAT IS A LINE PLOT

A line plot is a graph that shows frequency of data along a number line. It is best
to use a line plot when comparing fewer then 25 numbers. It is a quick, simple
way to organize data.

COLLECTING DATA

Data can be collected from a number of sources. The Internet, world almanacs,
and person observation are all good sources. REMEMBER: Internet data is not
always right, beware. Also, collected data must be controlled. That means the
data must be collected under the same rules for each set. Example: If collecting
data for the number of red M&M's per bag you should use all plain, or all
peanut unless you state that the data collected is from a mixed group.

MAKING A NUMBER LINE PLOT

Once data is collected it is then time to make a line plot.

1. Determine the scale to be used. If the data is best described in 100's have the
scale increase by hundreds, if all the data can fit on a scale 0-10 then make it 0-
10.

2. Next draw a horizontal line across the paper.

3. Break the line into EQUAL parts that will hold your scale.

4. List the data. Place an X over the correct number for each of the datum
collected. If a number is repeated then place the X above the other.

See below for sample chart.

READING THE PLOT

Once you have constructed the plot it is then time to analyze the data.

LOOK FOR:

1. OUTLIERS-data values that are substantially larger or smaller then the other
values. When possible, try to find an explanation for any outliers you may find. If
this was a graph representing the height of everyone in the class this outliers is
most likely the teacher. Although this is not a number line plot, it gives a visual
description of an outlier. The value near the top right is spaced away from the
rest f the data making it an outlier.
2.GAPS-large spaces between points. In the example above the space between the
data and the outlier is considered a gap. In the example below a gap occurs
between 10 and 13.

3.CLUSTERS-isolated groups of points. These are places on the number line

where data is concentrated. On this number line a large cluster appears from 0-
4.
 What is a math line plot?

A line plot shows data on a number line usually with an x or other marks to show frequency. 

It measures the frequency of an a item in a given data set. 

Line Plots
A line plot is much easier to construct than a stem-and-leaf plot and should be your starting point
with children.  Once they have experienced creating several line plots, they will be ready to
understand the more complex stem-and-leaf plots.  You can introduce the terms mean, median,
and mode that are described in the stem-and-leaf plot section.  You may wish to use graph paper
for it is crucial that each recorded X be uniform in size and placed exactly across from each other
(one-to-one correspondence).  Below is an example of a line plot.

Line Plot for the Number of M&M's™ in a Package

                       
                       
            X          
          X X   X      
      X   X X   X      
    X X   X X X X X    
X   X X X X X X X X   X
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Most line plots that I have seen have the horizontal line above the numbers but do not have any
vertical lines.  The additional lines shown here help younger children get a more accurate view
of the line plot's data.
The children will notice the cluster at 17 and 18 as well as the gap at 13 and 22.  The mode is
18, the median is the second X from the bottom for number 18, and the mean is 17.68 or 18.

Students will enjoy surveying family and friends for information to construct their own line
plots.  Examples of topics might be number of children in their family, number of doors in their
home, or number of eggs in their refrigerator.

Always write at least two sentences analyzing the data.  Students will enjoy seeing their line
plots and interpretations displayed as well as having the opportunity to read and study the ones
completed by their classmates.

An effective way to culminate an early experience with line plots is to have students do the
activity using individual boxes of candy or packages of M&M's™.  Once everyone has counted
the number of items inside the box or package, determine the smallest and largest numbers.  On a
sheet of tagboard or kraft paper draw lines for columns wide enough for the box or package to fit
inside the column.  At the bottom list the items found from the smallest to the largest.  Direct
each child to place a curled piece of tape on the back of his/her box or package.  Each child then
places his/her container on the line plot remembering to start at the bottom just above their
number.