7-5 Box and Whisker Plots
SPI 0706.5.3 and CCSS 7. SP. 2
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A box and whisker plot uses a number line to show the distribution of a set of data.
There are 5 sets of data that are plotted on the number line:
1. Lower Extreme
2. Upper Extreme
3. Lower Quartile
4. Upper Quartile
5. Median
The median is the middle digit in your data set. The upper extreme is the greatest value in
your data set. The lower extreme is the least value in your data set. The upper quartile is the
median of the higher digits. The lower quartile is the median of the lower digits.
Ex. Create a box and whisker plot for the following data below. Make sure and label all 5 sets of data.
26
17
21
23
19
28
17
20
29
Step 1: Order the numbers from least to greatest.
Step 2: Find the median of the set of data and circle it.
Step 3: Place brackets around the remaining lower set of numbers and the remaining upper set of
numbers.
Step 4: Find the median of the lower set of numbers (lower quartile) and the median of the upper set
of numbers (upper quartile) and circle them.
Step 5: Circle the lowest number (lower extreme) and the highest number (upper extreme).
Step 6: Create a box and whisker plot using the 5 numbers circled.
Why might one want to use a box and whisker plot? What types of jobs and careers could possibly
use a box and whisker plot and find it helpful?
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