Box and Whisker Plots: A New Way to Visualize Data

Information to get started The LARGE POINTS in the app below represent data values. These points can be moved left to right to change the corresponding Box and Whisker Plot. Lesser values are further to the left. Greater values are further to the right. Drag these points around and make note of the changes in the Box and Whisker Plot. I encourage you to make note of observations that may seem obvious, those can help build a strong foundation.

Move the four colored data points side to side. Then answer Question 1 below.

Question 1

What do you notice about the Red and Blue data points? What about the Purple and Green? List your observations here.

Move the data points around to make ONLY THE WHISKERS (at both ends) disappear. Make sure there's a BOX ONLY. Then answer Question 2 below.

Question 2

What did you do to make ONLY THE WHISKERS (at both ends) disappear? Describe a data set that causes this to happen.

Move the data points around to make the ENTIRE BOX AND WHISKER PLOT DISAPPEAR! Then answer Question 3 below.

Question 3

Describe a data set that makes the entire box and whisker plot disappear.

The MEDIAN represents the Middle Value of the Data Set. This is represented by the vertical line inside of the BOX. Create a data set for which the MEDIAN is in line with the labeled spot.

The length of the BOX is said to be the INTERQUARTILE RANGE (IQR) of the data set. Create a data set for which the IQR = 6 units.

The HORIZONTAL DISTANCE between the MIN and MAX (ends of both whiskers) is said to be the RANGE of this data set. Create a data set for which the RANGE is 15 units.