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Lesson
Study guide
10.4 For use with the lesson “Interpret Stem-and-Leaf Plots and Histograms”

goal Make stem-and-leaf plots and histograms.

Lesson 10.4
Vocabulary
A stem-and-leaf plot is a data display that organizes data based on
their digits. Each value is separated into a stem (the leading digit(s))
and a leaf (the last digit).
The frequency of an interval is the number of data values in that
interval.
A frequency table is used to group data values into equal intervals,
with no gaps between intervals and no intervals overlapping.
A histogram is a bar graph that displays data from a frequency table.
Each bar represents an interval.

ExaMPlE 1 Make a stem-and-leaf plot

Summer Reading The number of books read by students for a summer reading
program are listed below. Make a stem-and-leaf plot of the data.
15, 21, 9, 11, 8, 9, 17, 23, 31, 25, 22, 14, 15, 5 ,19, 22, 32, 35, 10, 12
Solution
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

STEP 1 Separate the data into STEP 2 Write the leaves in

stems and leaves. increasing order.
Books Read Books Read
Stem Leaves Stem Leaves
0 9 8 9 5 0 5 8 9 9
1 5 1 7 4 5 9 0 2 1 0 1 2 4 5 5 7 9
2 1 3 5 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 5
3 1 2 5 3 1 2 5
Key: 12 5 12 books read Key: 12 5 12 books read

Exercises for Example 1

1. TV Viewing The hours of TV viewing, on one weekend, for 30 school age
children are listed below. Make a stem-and-leaf plot of the data.
3.6, 2.7, 1.5, 2.8, 5.1, 5.3, 4.6, 2.8, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, 3.7, 5.0, 0.5,
1.8, 2.6, 3.0, 3.2, 0.8, 1.9, 5.1, 4.1, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.4, 2.9, 4.8, 2.3
2. Reasoning In Exercise 1, describe the distribution of the data on the intervals
represented by the stems. Are the data clustered together in a noticeable way?
Explain.

Algebra 1
Chapter Resource Book 10-45

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 Name ——————————————————————— Date ————————————

Lesson
Study guide continued
10.4 For use with the lesson “Interpret Stem-and-Leaf Plots and Histograms”

ExaMPlE 2 Make a histogram

Lesson 10.4

High Temperatures The average high water temperatures (8F) in Lake Erie each
day for two weeks are 57, 58, 60, 62, 63, 65, 67, 71, 69, 63, 66, 68, 72, 73. Make a
histogram of the data.
Solution

STEP 1 Choose intervals of equal STEP 2 Draw the bars of the histogram
size that cover all of the data using the intervals from the
values. Organize the data frequency table.
using a frequency table.
Daily H igh Temperatures
Temperature (8F) Days 6
5
55–59 2 4

Days
3
60–64 4
2
65–69 5 1
0
70–74 3

59

64

69

74
2
2

2
70
55

60

65
Temperature (°F)

Exercise for Example 2

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

3. Weights The weights (in pounds) of a group of preschoolers are listed. Make a
histogram of the data.
31, 28, 32, 36, 41, 40, 52, 49, 27, 33, 38, 45, 47, 53, 34, 42, 39, 37, 35, 43

Algebra 1
10-46 Chapter Resource Book

CS10_CC_A1_MECR710730_C10L04SG.indd 46 5/14/11 1:21:07 AM