Line plots, step by step
A line plot puts measurements on a number line and stacks an X above each one.
The question
How many more pencils measured 5 inches than 3½ inches?
Length of our pencils (inches)
along the bottom:inches
each mark:one pencil
3 inches:2 pencils
3½ inches:1 pencils
4½ inches:2 pencils
5 inches:4 pencils
5½ inches:2 pencils
6 inches:3 pencils
6½ inches:3 pencils
7 inches:2 pencils
3 inches:2 pencils
3½ inches:1 pencils
4½ inches:2 pencils
5 inches:4 pencils
5½ inches:2 pencils
6 inches:3 pencils
6½ inches:3 pencils
7 inches:2 pencils
3
- A line plot is not bars to read off a scale — each mark is one pencil. So the number ALONG the bottom and the number of marks ABOVE it are two different quantities, and the question wants one of them.
- Counting the stacks: 2 at 3, 1 at 3½, 2 at 4½, 4 at 5, 2 at 5½, 3 at 6, 3 at 6½, 2 at 7.
- 4 at 5 inches, 1 at 3½ inches: 4 − 1 = 3 — so the answer is 3.
How it works.
- 01
A line plot is not bars to read off a scale — each mark is one pencil. So the number ALONG the bottom and the number of marks ABOVE it are two different quantities, and the question wants one of them.
- 02
Counting the stacks: 2 at 3, 1 at 3½, 2 at 4½, 4 at 5, 2 at 5½, 3 at 6, 3 at 6½, 2 at 7.
- 03
4 at 5 inches, 1 at 3½ inches: 4 − 1 = 3 — so the answer is 3.