Line plots, dot plots, and stem plots

Week 4: September 15

MATH 317/ELMA 517 ~ Probability and Statistics for Teachers ~ Fall 2003

Class meeting schedule and topics

Monday, September 15 ~	Line plots, dot plots, and stem plots
Monday, September 22 ~	Histograms, five-number summaries, and boxplots
Monday, September 29 ~	Measuring center: Means and medians

Homework Assignments

3. Due Monday, September 22

   Required work

   1. Read Book 2 Sections 3 and 4

   2. Find or collect a dataset containing at least one numeric variable. Construct a dot plot and a stem plot for your data. Provide a specific reference, or describe in detail how the data were collected. Write a paragraph describing the story the graphs tell.

   3. Find or collect a dataset containing at least one categorical variable and at least one numeric variable. That is, the dataset should allow for the comparison of a numeric variable across two categorical groups. Construct side-by-side dot plots and back-to-back stem plots for your data. Provide a specific reference, or describe in detail how the data were collected. Write a paragraph describing the story the graphs tell.

   Optional work

   • Repeat exercises (b) or (c) above by hand or using technology.

4. Due Monday, September 29

   Required work

   1. Read Book 1 Sections 2 & 6 and Book 2 Sections 3 & 4

   2. Find, collect, or recycle a dataset containing at least one numeric variable. Construct a histogram and a box plot for your data. Provide a specific reference, or describe in detail how the data were collected. Write a paragraph describing the story the graphs tell.

   3. Find, collect, or recycle a dataset containing at least one categorical variable and at least one numeric variable. That is, the dataset should allow for the comparison of a numeric variable across two categorical groups. Construct side-by-side histograms and side-by-side box plots for your data. Provide a specific reference, or describe in detail how the data were collected. Write a paragraph describing the story the graphs tell.

   4. Find at least one example of a histogram in a newspaper, magazine, or in an electronic news publication.
      1. Describe the purpose of the histogram. That is, what story does the graph tell?
      2. Describe the strongest features of the graph.
      3. List ways in which the graph could be improved.
      4. As best you can, construct the corresponding box plot. If you are unable to construct a boxplot, explain why.

   Optional work

   • Repeat parts (b), (c), or (d) above by hand or using technology.