How to Draw a Dot Plot
Draw the actual plot on paper or in drawing software on your computer., Label the plot., Draw the data out onto the plot., Understand how to read the plot.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Draw the actual plot on paper or in drawing software on your computer.
To begin your basic Dot Plot, draw a line long enough to hold all of your data. -
Step 2: Label the plot.
Labeling your plot will need to be done on the bottom, under the line you drew.
Choosing whether to use Numbers or Words will depend on what your data consists of.
Numbers should be used when your problem looks like this: "How long does it take you to eat breakfast?" Words should be used when your problem looks like this: "We asked Jack, Anna, and Flickety to guess how many LifeGuide Hubian friends they have.
Anna said 100, Jack said 101, and Flickety said
102.
So instead of numbers at the bottom, you'd use the names of the LifeGuide Hub Admins listed in the problem instead. , After labeling and or numbering your Dot Plot, you now must place the data onto the table.
For Example:
If your dot plot problem says something such as this: "Krystle was asked how many cookies she gave Adelaide from 5pm to 10pm.
She said she gave her 2 cookies at 5pm, 4 cookies at 6pm, 1 cookie at 7pm, 6 cookies' at 8pm, 5 cookies at 9pm, and 1 cookie at 10pm." then your Dot Plot should look just like the one in the picture above. , Referring to the image within the step above, each dot was placed on the corresponding time of day representing 1 cookie per dot:
Adelaide received 6 cookies at 8pm, therefore eight dots have been placed onto the Dot Plot above "8pm".
In this example, 1 dot is equivalent to 1 cookie.
As for most dot plots, the dots will more than likely be equal to 1 of something (x = 1). -
Step 3: Draw the data out onto the plot.
-
Step 4: Understand how to read the plot.
Detailed Guide
To begin your basic Dot Plot, draw a line long enough to hold all of your data.
Labeling your plot will need to be done on the bottom, under the line you drew.
Choosing whether to use Numbers or Words will depend on what your data consists of.
Numbers should be used when your problem looks like this: "How long does it take you to eat breakfast?" Words should be used when your problem looks like this: "We asked Jack, Anna, and Flickety to guess how many LifeGuide Hubian friends they have.
Anna said 100, Jack said 101, and Flickety said
102.
So instead of numbers at the bottom, you'd use the names of the LifeGuide Hub Admins listed in the problem instead. , After labeling and or numbering your Dot Plot, you now must place the data onto the table.
For Example:
If your dot plot problem says something such as this: "Krystle was asked how many cookies she gave Adelaide from 5pm to 10pm.
She said she gave her 2 cookies at 5pm, 4 cookies at 6pm, 1 cookie at 7pm, 6 cookies' at 8pm, 5 cookies at 9pm, and 1 cookie at 10pm." then your Dot Plot should look just like the one in the picture above. , Referring to the image within the step above, each dot was placed on the corresponding time of day representing 1 cookie per dot:
Adelaide received 6 cookies at 8pm, therefore eight dots have been placed onto the Dot Plot above "8pm".
In this example, 1 dot is equivalent to 1 cookie.
As for most dot plots, the dots will more than likely be equal to 1 of something (x = 1).
About the Author
James Gordon
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in pet care and beyond.
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