# Line Plots

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The authors
Team Digital
Line Plots
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.B.4

## In this Line Plots Video

In this line plots video, we learn about using line plots with fractions. Nari has set up a honey sale at his Sticky Fingers Honey Company stand. He notices that honey is missing from some jars and must take inventory to know what he has available. He collects a line plot data set of how many jars have each level of honey. Then he uses line plots and fractions to create a line plot diagram that easily shows him how much he has in each category. In this line plots lesson, we can see how organizing data helps us easily answer questions about the data collected. In this line plots video 4th grade, we will find out if Nari can save the sale!

## What are line plots?

The line plot definition is a graph that displays data as points or x’s above a number line, showing the frequency of each value. Line plot data changes from lists to an organized diagram.

### Line Plot Examples

Here are some line plots for 4th grade examples of information learned. Line plots 4th grade focuses on line plots fractions and we can use this information to answer questions about the data.

## Follow Up Line Plots Activities

Following the video, there are line plots practice and line plots worksheets.

### TranscriptLine Plots

"This sale is going to be amazing! “Hmmm…..what in the world?" “The sale is going to start soon and I don’t know how much honey is in every jar!” Nari needed to get to the bottom of this mystery and decided to record the amounts of honey in each jar. Because Nari’s list of honey amounts is disorganized, it's not a useful way to look at the information. We can help Nari save the honey sale by organizing his data into a line plot. "Line Plots" A line plot is a graph that displays data along a number line in a way that organizes the frequency of the information. We can take Nari's list and create a line plot that will organize the honey inventory he has to sell. First, let’s organize the list of honey jars by grouping the like fraction amounts together. This list represents our DATA SET. What numbers will we include on our number line? We will include all the numbers from our data set in order from least to greatest. Make sure they are spaced an equal distance apart. Now we’ll need to label these units of measurement used for the number line. These fractions represent how much of the jar is filled with honey, so we will label this LEVELS OF HONEY. Where do we get the information for making the plots on our line? We use the data set to tell us how many we have of each kind. The next step is to plot the data points on the line. We will be using x's to stand for the jars of honey. Nari has two jars that are empty, so we will make two x’s above the zero on the number line. In order to stay organized, the x’s need to be the same size and an equal distance apart. How many jars are filled one-fourth the way up? "There are four jars filled to one-fourth, so we can make four x's HERE to represent these jars." How many one-half fractions are on the list? Five (...)so there are five jars that are half full. We’ll add those plots to our number line. Continue on counting the number of three-fourths fractions from our data set and make x’s on the graph. How many jars are three-fourths full? Four.(...) so we have made four x’s above the number line. Finally, count and make the x’s for the full jars. The final step is to title the line plot so everyone knows what information this graph presents. What information do we learn from these line plots? We learn about Nari’s honey jar inventory for his sale, so we will title this STICKY FINGERS INVENTORY. Now that we have organized Nari’s inventory of honey jars, we can easily answer questions about what he has available to sell. Which quantity does Nari have the most of? Nari has the most of the jars that are filled halfway. Which quantities have the same amount of jars to sell? There are four jars of BOTH one-fourth and three-fourths levels. How many more full jars are there than empty ones? One, because there is one more x above the one on the line plot than there is above the zero. Finally(...)How many total jars of honey does Nari have to sell? To solve this problem you add up ALL the x’s above one-fourth,(...) one half, (...) three-fourths, and one whole. Nari has SIXTEEN jars of honey! Four, plus five, plus four, plus three equals sixteen. Why did we not count the x’s above the zero? Nari would not sell EMPTY jars! That would be silly! Remember(...) The purpose of a line plot is to show data in an organized way so we can answer questions about the information. First, we create a number line that includes all the measurement values from our data set. Next, we will plot the data by making x’s above the measurement that match the number of times the data is given. Then, label the units of measurement for the line plot. Finally, title your graph that tells EXACTLY what information the line plot shares. " Hey Nari, (...)Where'd all the DELICIOUS honey go?" "GUS!! (...) WAIT! (...)YOU'RE the one behind all of THIS?!"

## Line Plots exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Line Plots.
• ### Using the number line provided, order all of the measurement values from least to greatest.

Hints

What number goes at the beginning of the number line? What number goes at the end?

Look at the fractions provided. What is the smallest fraction? What is the largest?

Which fraction should be in the middle of the line plot diagram? Which fraction shows one-half?

Solution

The fractions in order from least to greatest is 0, $\frac{1}{6}$, $\frac{2}{6}$, $\frac{1}{2}$, $\frac{4}{6}$, $\frac{5}{6}$, 1.
Remember, least means smallest and greatest means biggest.

• ### Parts of a line plot diagram.

Hints

The data represented here are fractions, but what is the proper name for a group of data?

Graphs and line plot diagrams are a way to organize information, but are they parts of a line plot diagram?

Solution

The data set is a list that groups like amounts together. Here, our data set is fractions.
The number line includes all the numbers from our data set in order from least to greatest.
The units of measurement label used for the number line names the type of data in the data set.
The title tells what information we will learn from these line plots. We learn about Nari’s honey jar sale hours, so the title is Sticky Finger's Sale Hours.

• ### Which line plot diagram represents the data in the table?

Hints

What do the X's on the line graph diagram represent?

Carefully read the table and count the X's on each line plot diagram.

Solution

Each X represents one type of honey jar.
8 of the jars have zero honey in them.
4 of the jars are $\frac{1}{4}$ full of honey.
3 of the jars are $\frac{1}{2}$ full of honey.
7 of the jars are $\frac{3}{4}$ full of honey.
2 of the jars are completely full of honey.

• ### Interpreting a Line Plot Diagram

Hints

Look at line plot diagram, the amount of X's are different for each day of the week. How can you use these X's to help you figure out how much honey was sold each day? Each X represents 1 jar of honey.

To find the day with the most number of honey sales, find the fraction with the most X's. To find the day with the least number of honey sales, find the fraction with the least X's.

If the question asks you to combine two amounts, what equation will help you solve this?

Solution

True: The least amount of honey was sold on Thursday. On Thursday Nari sold 1 jar of honey - this is the smallest amount of honey sold during the week.
True: Nari sold the same amount of honey on Monday and Friday. Nari sold 5 jars of honey on Monday and 5 jars of honey on Friday.
True: On Thursday and Friday, Nari sold 6 jars of honey. On Thursday, Nari sold 1 jar of honey. On Friday, Nari sold 5 jars of honey. 1 + 5 = 6.
True: Twice as many jars of honey were sold on Wednesday than on Tuesday. On Wednesday, 6 jars of honey were sold. On Tuesday, he sold 3. 3 x 2 = 6.
False: Nari sold the most amount of honey on Tuesday. Nari sold the greatest amount of honey on Wednesday.
False: Nari sold a total of 19 jars of honey during the week. Count and add the X's from the line plot diagram carefully! 5 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 5 = 20.

• ### How many jars of honey does Nari have to sell? Use the line plot provided.

Hints

Each X represents 1 jar of honey.

Should Nari count the empty jars of honey?

Solution

To solve this problem, you need add up ALL of the x’s above one-sixth, two-sixth, one half, four-sixth, five-sixth, and one whole.
Nari has FIFTEEN jars of honey.
3 + 1 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 3 = 15
Why did we not count the x’s above the zero? Nari would not sell EMPTY jars!

• ### Use the line plot diagram to answer the questions.

Hints

To find out how many of an amount are filled, count the X's above the fraction. For example, there are 2 jars that are $\frac{5}{6}$ filled.

To find the quantity with the most number of jars, find the fraction with the most X's. To find the quantity with the least number of jars, find the fraction with the least X's.

If the question asks how many more or how many fewer, think about what equation will help you solve this.

If the question asks you to combine two amounts, think about what equation will help you solve this.

Solution
1. How many jars are $\frac{1}{2}$ filled? 3. There are 3 X's above the fraction $\frac{1}{2}$ on the number line showing that 3 of the jars are half filled.
2. Which quantity does Nari have the most of? Nari has 4 jars of honey that are $\frac{4}{6}$ filled. This is the most amount of jars in his inventory.
3. Which quantity does Nari have the least of? Nari has only 1 jar of honey that is $\frac{2}{6}$ filled. This is the least amount of jars in his inventory.
4. How many fewer full jars are there than $\frac{4}{6}$ filled jars? 2. There are 4 jars that are $\frac{4}{6}$ filled and 2 jars that are full. 4 - 2 = 2.
5. How many jars are $\frac{4}{6}$ and $\frac{1}{2}$ filled? 7. There are 4 jars that are $\frac{4}{6}$ filled and 3 jars that are $\frac{1}{2}$ filled. 4 + 3 = 7.