What you’ll learn
Compare dot plots, histograms and box plots.
Key idea
A box median is its labeled center line; histogram heights are interval frequencies.
One dot marks an observation; histogram bars aggregate bin frequencies and every repeated observation must remain.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
Dot plot (one dot per observation): 2: ● ● ● ● 3: ● 4: ● ● ● ● Independent box plot summary: min -2, Q1 -1, median 0, Q3 1, max 2. Which plot has the larger median? Enter dot plot, box plot, or equal medians.
- The dot display contains 9 individual observations with symmetric counts around 3, so its median is 3.
- The labeled independent box median is 0; comparison dot plot. Histogram bins aggregate [2,3): 4; [3,4): 1; [4,5): 4; stacked dot coordinates (2,1);(2,2);(2,3);(2,4);(3,1);(4,1);(4,2);(4,3);(4,4).
Answer: dot plot
Quick Check
Relate the graph used in 'Compare dot plots, histograms and box plots' to an equation, table, transformation, or verbal description.
Dot display: 5: ● ● ● 6: ● ● 7: ● ● ● Matching integer-data histogram [5,6): 3; [6,7): 2; [7,8): 3. Claim: "Every histogram bar marks exactly one individual observation like one dot." Assess using this display.