Why should you have a box and whiskers
plot on the same number line as another if
you’re going to compare the graphs?
Having a box and whisker plot on the same number line as another plot allows for easy comparison between the two graphs, enabling us to make meaningful observations and draw conclusions. When comparing datasets, a box and whisker plot gives us a visual presentation of the five-number summary (minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile, maximum) of each dataset.
To compare the graphs:
1. First, collect the data for both datasets that you want to compare.
2. Then, determine the five-number summary (minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile, maximum) for each dataset.
3. Construct a number line that spans the range of both datasets. Choose a suitable scale to accommodate the values of both datasets.
4. Draw a number line and label it accordingly.
5. Plot the five-number summary for the first dataset on the number line. This is typically represented by a box with a line inside it representing the median and lines (whiskers) extending from the box to the minimum and maximum values.
6. Plot the five-number summary for the second dataset on the same number line using the same conventions.
7. Compare the two box and whisker plots visually. Look for differences in the position and spread of the boxes, medians, whiskers, and outliers. You can observe variations in the center, spread, skewness, and presence of outliers in the datasets.
By having both plots on the same number line, you can easily see and compare measures of central tendency (median) and measures of dispersion (spread) between the two datasets. This makes it convenient to identify differences, similarities, patterns, and outliers, aiding in drawing conclusions and making informed comparisons.