Contributor: Lynn Ellis. Lesson ID: 13748
Box plots are a compact way to show variation in data. Learn how to draw and how to interpret a box plot.
The picture above looks like pistons but is a picture of box plots.
After you complete this lesson, you will be able to construct a box plot and interpret what a box plot is telling you.
(You should understand the median and the quartiles before this lesson. If you need a refresher, check out our lessons under Additional Resources in the right-hand sidebar.)
The US Census Bureau collects information about the population of each state and the District of Columbia. That's 50 states plus the District of Columbia, all with different populations.
Probably not. Making sense of a list of numbers is difficult, so there are tools to help.
A box plot is one tool in the statistician's toolbox.
A box plot is simply a way to represent a data set in a picture. For example, you could create this picture instead of a list of all 51 states (and DC) populations.
This picture gives you a significant amount of information about the data set.
Take notes as you watch the video below.
Now that you have learned how to draw a box plot, watch this next video to practice with an example and to learn more about interpreting box plots.
Now, try matching number summaries and box plots yourself.
First, look at each box plot shown below. Then, drag and drop the correct number summary into the matching data box.
Feel free to watch the video again if you need to.
When ready, move on to the Got It? section for practice.