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Creating Whiskerplots

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The following describes how to create the box and whisker plots on TI graphing calculators, but the general idea works for other calculators and technologies.

Entering Data

1. You need to enter your data in the calculator. On a TI, press STAT and select EDIT to get to the screen on which you can "edit the lists" to include your data points.

2. To clear List 1 (L1) of data, arrow up so the cursor is on L1, press CLEAR, and press ENTER.

3. Type in the first piece of data and press ENTER. The number will appear as the first entry in L1, and the cursor will move down to the second entry in L1.

4. Continue entering your data set in L1.

5. If you have more sets of data you want to enter, arrow to the right to the next list, clear the list, and enter your next set of data.

Setting up the Box and Whisker Plots

1. Select Y= and CLEAR (or turn off) all equations.

2. Press STAT PLOT (2nd Y=) to get to the Stat Plot screen.

3. Press ENTER to select Plot1 (or arrow down and press enter to select other Plots).

4. The cursor will be over ON. Press ENTER to turn the plot on.

5. Arrow down and to the right and place your cursor over the Box and Whisker icon. Press ENTER to select the Box and Whisker Plot.

6. Arrow down to Xlist to select the data you want to plot. Depending on your calculator, you will either:

  • place your cursor over L1 (to use the data in List 1) and press ENTER; or
  • select L1 (2nd 1) from the calculator key pad (above "1").

7. If each of your data points in the list (in this case L1) represents one piece of data, then make sure FREQ is set to 1.

8. If you want to show multiple plots, repeat this procedure, except in step #3, select a different plot (Plot2, Plot3).

Viewing the Box and Whisker Plots

1. Press GRAPH.

Setting up the Graph Window and Viewing the Graph Automatically

1. Press ZOOM to get to zoom options.

2. Arrow down to ZoomStat (or press 9).

Checking Out Values on the Box and Whisker Plots

1. Press TRACE.

2. Press the left or right arrows to view the x values of the end points and break points of the plot.

3. Press the up or down arrows to jump to another plot.

Turning off Plots

1. Press STAT PLOT (2nd Y=) to get to the Stat Plot screen.

2. Arrow down so the cursor is over PlotsOff. Press ENTER to select the PlotsOff command.

3. Press ENTER to execute the Plotsoff command.