INTERPRETING A DOT PLOT

A dot plot can give you a visual picture of the spread, center, and shape of a data distribution.

You can describe the spread of a data set by identifying the least and greatest values. You can also look for outliers which are data values that are either much greater or much less than the other data values.

You can describe the center and shape of a data set in terms of peaks, clusters, or symmetry. A symmetric distribution has approximately the same number of data values on either side of the center.

Example 1 : 

Describe the spread, center, and shape of the dot plot given below. 

Solution : 

The data values are spread out from 3 to 7 with no outliers.

The data has a cluster from 3 to 7 with one peak at 5, which is the center of the distribution.

The distribution is symmetric. The data values are clustered around the center of the distribution.

Example 2 : 

Describe the spread, center, and shape of the dot plot given below. 

Solution : 

The data values are spread out from 1 to 9. The data value 1 appears to be an out lier.

The data has a cluster from 6 to 9 with one peak at 9, which is the greatest value in the data set.

The distribution is not symmetric. The data values are clustered at one end of the distribution.

Example 3 : 

Describe the spread, center, and shape of the dot plot given below. 

Solution : 

The data values are spread out from 0 to 11. The data value 11 appears to be an out lier.

The data has a cluster from 0 to 7 with one peak at 2, which is the greatest value in the data set.

The distribution is not symmetric. The data values are clustered at one end of the distribution.

Example 4 : 

Describe the spread, center, and shape of the dot plot given below. 

Solution :

Solution : 

The data values are spread out from 0 to 11 with no outliers.

The data has a cluster from 0 to 11 with one peak at 5, which is the center of the distribution.

The distribution is symmetric. The data values are clustered around the center of the distribution.

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