Data and Graphs - Seventh Grade
Organizing, Displaying & Interpreting Data
1. Line Plots
What is a Line Plot?
A line plot shows the FREQUENCY of data
along a number line using X's or dots
• Each X represents one occurrence of a value
• Best for displaying small data sets (fewer than 25 values)
• Works well with whole numbers and fractions
How to Create a Line Plot
Step 1: Draw a horizontal number line
Step 2: Mark all possible data values on the line
Step 3: Place an X above each value for each occurrence
Step 4: Label the number line and add a title
Example
Data: Hours of sleep: 7, 8, 7, 6, 8, 7, 9, 7, 8
Line Plot:
X X X X X X 6 7 8 9 Hours of Sleep
Interpretation: 7 hours appears 4 times (most common)
Line Plots with Fractions
• Label the number line with fractions (e.g., 1/4, 1/2, 3/4)
• Plot data the same way as with whole numbers
• Useful for measurements (inches, cups, etc.)
2. Stem-and-Leaf Plots
What is a Stem-and-Leaf Plot?
A stem-and-leaf plot organizes numerical data
by splitting each number into a STEM and a LEAF
• STEM: Leading digit(s)
• LEAF: Last digit
• Keeps original data values visible
How to Create a Stem-and-Leaf Plot
Step 1: Order the data from least to greatest
Step 2: Separate each number into stem (tens) and leaf (ones)
Step 3: List all stems in order (left column)
Step 4: Write corresponding leaves (right column)
Step 5: Include a key to explain the plot
Example
Data: Test scores: 65, 72, 78, 81, 82, 85, 88, 90, 93
Stem-and-Leaf Plot:
Stem | Leaf |
6 | 5 |
7 | 2 8 |
8 | 1 2 5 8 |
9 | 0 3 |
Key: 7|2 = 72
3. Bar Graphs
What is a Bar Graph?
A bar graph uses RECTANGULAR BARS
to compare CATEGORICAL data
• Height or length of bar shows frequency or value
• Bars are separated by spaces
• Can be vertical or horizontal
How to Create a Bar Graph
Step 1: Draw horizontal and vertical axes
Step 2: Label axes (categories and frequency/value)
Step 3: Choose appropriate scale for values
Step 4: Draw bars with heights matching data values
Step 5: Add title and labels
Key Features:
• Bars do NOT touch each other
• Used for discrete/categorical data
• Easy to compare different categories
4. Histograms
What is a Histogram?
A histogram displays CONTINUOUS data
grouped into INTERVALS (bins)
• Similar to bar graph but for continuous data
• Bars TOUCH each other (no gaps)
• Shows distribution of data
Bar Graph vs. Histogram
Feature | Bar Graph | Histogram |
---|---|---|
Data Type | Categorical | Continuous (numerical) |
Bars | Separated (gaps) | Touching (no gaps) |
X-axis | Categories | Intervals/Ranges |
Purpose | Compare categories | Show distribution |
Example
Data: Test scores grouped in intervals
Score Range | Frequency |
60-69 | 3 |
70-79 | 7 |
80-89 | 12 |
90-100 | 5 |
Each bar represents an interval, bars touch each other
5. Frequency Tables
What is a Frequency Table?
A frequency table organizes data
by showing how many times each value occurs
• Lists values or intervals in one column
• Shows frequency (count) in another column
• Foundation for creating many types of graphs
Types of Frequency Tables
Simple Frequency Table: Individual values
Grouped Frequency Table: Data grouped into intervals
Relative Frequency: Shows proportions or percentages
Example
Data: Favorite colors: Red, Blue, Red, Green, Blue, Red, Blue, Blue, Green
Color | Tally | Frequency |
Red | ||| | 3 |
Blue | |||| | 4 |
Green | || | 2 |
Total | 9 |
6. Circle Graphs (Pie Charts)
What is a Circle Graph?
A circle graph shows how parts
relate to the WHOLE (100%)
• Circle divided into sectors (slices)
• Each sector represents a category
• Size of sector shows proportion of whole
Central Angles Formula
Central Angle = (Part/Whole) × 360°
or
Central Angle = Percentage × 3.6°
Remember: A complete circle = 360°
All central angles must add up to 360°
Example
Problem: 50 students were surveyed. 20 chose pizza, 15 chose burgers, 10 chose tacos, 5 chose salad. Find central angles.
Pizza: (20/50) × 360° = 0.4 × 360° = 144°
Burgers: (15/50) × 360° = 0.3 × 360° = 108°
Tacos: (10/50) × 360° = 0.2 × 360° = 72°
Salad: (5/50) × 360° = 0.1 × 360° = 36°
Check: 144° + 108° + 72° + 36° = 360° ✓
7. Box Plots (Box-and-Whisker Plots)
What is a Box Plot?
A box plot displays the FIVE-NUMBER SUMMARY
of a data set
Shows distribution and spread of data at a glance
Five-Number Summary
1. Minimum (smallest value)
2. Q₁ (Lower Quartile) - 25th percentile
3. Median (Q₂) - 50th percentile
4. Q₃ (Upper Quartile) - 75th percentile
5. Maximum (largest value)
Key Formulas
IQR = Q₃ - Q₁
Interquartile Range (middle 50% of data)
Range = Maximum - Minimum
Total spread of data
Parts of a Box Plot
• Left Whisker: From minimum to Q₁
• Box: From Q₁ to Q₃ (contains middle 50% of data)
• Median Line: Vertical line inside the box
• Right Whisker: From Q₃ to maximum
Example
Data (ordered): 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21
Minimum: 5
Q₁: 8 (median of first half: 7, 9)
Median: 13 (middle value)
Q₃: 18 (median of second half: 17, 19)
Maximum: 21
IQR: Q₃ - Q₁ = 18 - 8 = 10
Range: 21 - 5 = 16
Quick Reference: All Graph Types
Graph Type | Best For | Key Feature |
---|---|---|
Line Plot | Small data sets | X's on number line |
Stem-and-Leaf | Organizing numerical data | Shows all data values |
Bar Graph | Categorical data | Separated bars |
Histogram | Continuous data | Touching bars |
Circle Graph | Parts of a whole | Total = 360° |
Box Plot | Distribution summary | Five-number summary |
💡 Important Tips to Remember
✓ Line Plot: Use X's, best for small data sets
✓ Stem-and-Leaf: Stem = tens, Leaf = ones, always include key
✓ Bar Graph: Bars separated, for categorical data
✓ Histogram: Bars touching, for continuous data intervals
✓ Frequency Table: Organize before creating graphs
✓ Circle Graph: Central angle = (part/whole) × 360°
✓ Box Plot: Shows minimum, Q₁, median, Q₃, maximum
✓ IQR: Interquartile Range = Q₃ - Q₁
✓ All angles in circle graph: Must add to 360°
✓ Always label: Title, axes, units, keys
🧠 Memory Tricks & Strategies
Bar Graph vs Histogram:
"Bar graphs have gaps and show categories flat, Histograms touch with data that's continuous at that!"
Stem-and-Leaf:
"Stem holds the tens, leaf is the one - read them together and you're done!"
Circle Graph Central Angle:
"Part over whole times 360 - that's the angle that will be plenty!"
Box Plot Five Numbers:
"Min, Q1, Median too, Q3 and Max - that's your crew!"
Interquartile Range:
"Q3 minus Q1, IQR is done - middle fifty percent in one!"
Line Plot:
"Stack the X's high - count them to see frequency nearby!"
Master Data and Graphs! 📊 📈 📉
Remember: Choose the right graph for your data type!