Find the numbers the question needs, then decide: add for in all or or, subtract for how many more or did not. On a scatterplot, read across for one value and up for the other.
frequencyhow many times something happens
stem-and-leaf plottens as stems, ones as leaves
scatterplotdots that each show two numbers about one thing
rangegreatest minus least
Watch for: Reading a leaf alone as the value: 3 | 4 is 34, not 4. Answering a two-step question after one step. Reading a scatterplot dot's up value as its across value.
At home: Keep a week's tally of something (dog walks, pages read) in a table, then ask a two-step question about it.
Sample sheet and answer key
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 5 · Solving problems with data · 5.9C
NameDate
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Frequency table
A class answered one question. The frequency is how many chose each.
Way to school
Frequency
Scooter
6
Bike
3
Car
14
Walk
10
How many students in all?
How many more chose Walk than Bike?
How many chose Scooter or Car?
How many did not choose Scooter?
Stem-and-leaf plot
Push-ups in one minute. The stem is the tens digit, the leaf the ones.
Stem
Leaves
4
6
5
0 3 4 5 8 9
6
3 4
7
1 4 6
4 | 6 means 46
How many are greater than 59?
How many in the 50s?
How many more in the 50s than the 60s?
Greatest − least?
Scatterplot
Each dot is a player. Across: hours of practice. Up: goals scored.
Goals by B?
Hours for D?
Most hours of practice?
Fewest goals?
F scored how many more than D?
Goals by the two top scorers?
Grade 5 · Sheet
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 5 · Solving problems with data · 5.9C
Answer key
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Frequency table
A class answered one question. The frequency is how many chose each.
Way to school
Frequency
Scooter
6
Bike
3
Car
14
Walk
10
How many students in all?33
How many more chose Walk than Bike?7
How many chose Scooter or Car?20
How many did not choose Scooter?27
Stem-and-leaf plot
Push-ups in one minute. The stem is the tens digit, the leaf the ones.
Stem
Leaves
4
6
5
0 3 4 5 8 9
6
3 4
7
1 4 6
4 | 6 means 46
How many are greater than 59?5
How many in the 50s?6
How many more in the 50s than the 60s?4
Greatest − least?30
Scatterplot
Each dot is a player. Across: hours of practice. Up: goals scored.
Goals by B?1
Hours for D?3
Most hours of practice?E
Fewest goals?B
F scored how many more than D?1
Goals by the two top scorers?17
Answer key
Something wrong with this sheet? A wrong answer, a hard-to-read picture? Report it
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
