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 Question from Maegan, a student: The students in Mr.Smiths PE class collected data on the number of the sit ups the students were able to do in three minutes. Use the data to craete a stem and leaf lot. 0 ,  74  ,  8  ,  50  ,  58  ,  49  ,   40  ,  0  ,  15  ,  0  ,  37  ,  8  ,  33  ,  23,  6  ,  13  ,  17  ,  35  ,  11  ,  42  ,  0  ,  16  ,  19 What is the median for the class data? range? mode? Is the mode or median a good indicator of the number of sit ups completed by a student in Mr.Smiths class? Why?

Hi Maegan,

To see how to construct a stem and leaf plot look at the example I did for Kelly a while ago. There are two extra complications with your data. First the one digit numbers you have, 0, 6 and 8 you should rewrite as 00, 06 and 08 so that the stem for each is 0. Secondly you have no observation in the sixties so the row in the stem and leaf plot with stem 6 will have no leaves.

Once you have the stem and leaf plot constructed you will be able to easily read off the median and mode.

I hope this helps,
Penny

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