Line Plot

A line plot (also called a dot plot) is a simple graph that shows data values on a number line, with an X or dot placed above each value every time it appears. Line plots make it easy to see the distribution of a data set — which values are most common, where the data clusters, and whether there are gaps or outliers. They appear frequently on the GED Math test in data and statistics problems.

What Is a Line Plot?

A line plot consists of:

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• A horizontal number line showing all possible values in the data range
• An X (or dot) placed above a value for each time that value appears in the data set
• A title and label for the number line

The height of the stack of X’s above a number shows its frequency (how many times it appears).

How to Read a Line Plot

Interpreting the display

• Count the X’s above each number to find its frequency.
• The number with the most X’s is the mode.
• Add up all the X’s to find the total number of data values.
• You can find the median by counting to the middle X, and the range by subtracting the smallest labeled value from the largest labeled value.

How to Make a Line Plot

Step-by-step process

1. Find the minimum and maximum values in the data set.
2. Draw a number line that spans from the minimum to the maximum, labeling every integer in between.
3. For each data value, place an X above the corresponding number on the line.
4. Stack X’s vertically if a value appears more than once.
5. Add a title and label to the number line.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Identify the range of values and draw a number line.
2. Place one X above each value for each time it appears.
3. To read: count X’s for frequency; find mode, median, and range from the plot.

Watch: How to Make a Line Plot (Video Lesson)

Math with Mr. J shows you exactly how to create a line plot with whole numbers:

Worked Examples

Example 1: The data set {2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6} is displayed on a line plot. How many X’s appear above the number 4? What is the mode?

3 X’s appear above 4 (it appears 3 times). Mode = 4

Example 2: A line plot shows ages of students: the numbers 8, 9, 10, 11 appear on the number line. The X counts are: 8 → 2, 9 → 5, 10 → 3, 11 → 1. What is the total number of students? What is the range?

\(\color{blue}{\text{ Total } = 2 + 5 + 3 + 1}\) = 11 students; \(\color{blue}{\text{ Range } = 11 – 8}\) = 3

Example 3: Create a line plot for: 5, 7, 5, 8, 9, 7, 7, 6.

Number line: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
X counts: 5 → XX, 6 → X, 7 → XXX, 8 → X, 9 → X
Mode = 7 (3 X’s); \(\color{blue}{\text{ Range } = 9 – 5 = 4}\)

Example 4: Using the line plot from Example 3, what is the median?

All 8 values in order: 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9
\(\color{blue}{\text{ Median } = (7 + 7) \div 2}\) = 7

More Practice: Introduction to Line Plots (Video)

Khan Academy introduces line plots and how to use them to answer questions:

Exercises

1. Data: 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7. Which value is the mode?
2. A line plot has values 10–15. The X counts are: 10(1), 11(3), 12(4), 13(2), 14(1), 15(1). How many total data points are there?
3. Using the line plot in #2, what is the mode?
4. Create a line plot for: 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4. How many X’s are above 3?
5. A line plot shows: 8(2 X’s), 9(4 X’s), 10(3 X’s), 11(1 X). What is the range? What is the mode?

Answers

1. 5 (appears 3 times)
2. \(\color{blue}{1+3+4+2+1+1}\) = 12 data points
3. 12 (4 X’s, the most)
4. 3 X’s above 3 (appears 3 times)
5. \(\color{blue}{\text{ Range } = 11 – 8}\) = 3; Mode = 9 (4 X’s)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a line plot and a line graph?

A line plot shows individual data values on a number line using X’s or dots — great for small data sets. A line graph connects data points with line segments and usually shows change over time. They look similar but serve different purposes.

Can a line plot have gaps?

Yes. If no data values fall at a particular point on the number line, that position simply has no X above it. Gaps can signal clusters or unusual spacing in the data.

How is a line plot different from a dot plot?

They are essentially the same. Both plot individual values on a number line. “Line plot” is the term more commonly used in elementary and middle school, while “dot plot” is preferred at higher levels. Both use the same reading and creation techniques.

Related Topics

• Distributions in Line Plot
• Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
• Finding Range, Quartile, and Interquartile Range
• How to Identify an Outlier
• How to Solve the Frequency Distribution Table