Idea 18of 22Builds onThe mode: the value that appears mostThe median: the middle value in orderAdd, then divide by how many
Mode, median and mean on a line plot
Where do the three measures sit on one plot?
Today you'll discover
- the median by counting dots
- the mode as the tallest column
- the mean as the balance
Think firstPets in nine homes
The dots are already in order. Which value is the median?
Decide first, then press Next. Count the dots from the left.
A line plot of pets in nine homes: dots above 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 and 4. The dots are numbered 1 to 9 and the 5th, above 2, is the median. Then the column above 1 is boxed as the mode, and a triangle at 2 marks the mean, 18 ÷ 9 = 2. The last step shows brothers and sisters of ten students.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
Mode: the tallest column. Median: the middle dot. Mean: the balance point.
Easy to get wrongThe middle of the number line is not the median. Count the dots, not the numbers along the line.
Key word
- line plot
- a number line with a dot (or ×) above it for each value; equal values stack up
Ready to use it?
- Read the mode, median and mean from a line plot.