Box Plot
Definition
A box plot (also known as a box-and-whisker plot) is a graphical representation that displays key features of numerical data including minimum, first quartile (Q1), median (Q2), third quartile (Q3), and maximum values. It helps visualize data spread and identify outliers.
Analogy
Think of a box plot as if it were showing your wardrobe choices for each season. The bottom line represents your summer clothes (minimum), while the top line represents your winter clothes (maximum). The middle line represents your go-to outfits for spring and fall (median), and the boxes show where most of your clothes fall within those seasons (interquartile range).
Related terms
Quartiles: Quartiles divide a dataset into four equal parts. The first quartile (Q1) represents the 25th percentile, the second quartile (Q2) represents the median, and the third quartile (Q3) represents the 75th percentile.
Outliers: Outliers are data points that significantly differ from other observations in a dataset. They can be identified using various methods and may indicate errors or unusual phenomena.
Whiskers: In a box plot, whiskers represent the range of values within which most of the data falls. They extend from the minimum to maximum values, excluding outliers.
"Box Plot" appears in:
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (10)
What does the bottom of the box in a box plot represent?
Which measure is used to identify outliers in a box plot?
Which measure of center is represented by the line inside the box in a box plot?
In regards to a box plot, what are the limits beyond which any data are considered as outliers?
What does the top of the box in a box plot represent?
Which measure is used to determine the spread of the data in a box plot?
In a box plot, which part of the plot represents the interquartile range (IQR)?
What does a longer upper whisker (right-hand whisker) in a box plot indicate about the data?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the spread of data and the length of the box in a box plot?
In a box plot, if the whisker on the lower side is shorter than the whisker on the upper side, what does it suggest about the shape of the distribution?
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