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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can construct a box plot.

      Key learning points

      1. A box plot requires 5 pieces of information
      2. These are lowest value, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and highest value
      3. Outliers should be included in the range for now
      4. At A level, there are suggested ways to identify outliers and indicate these

      Keywords

      • Box plot - A box plot is a diagram that clearly shows the minimum and maximum value of a data set along with the three quartiles.

      Common misconception

      Forgetting to order the list of data before finding the 5 key pieces of information.

      Ask some pupils to stand at the front of the classroom. Find the person in the middle, and pose the question "is they the median sized person?" Repeat with quartiles. This should highlight the importance of putting the numbers in order first.

      Teacher tip

      Collect data from the class and draw a box plot for the data. You could collect data on the number of times they can flip a coin or roll a dice in a given number of seconds. Alternatively, show a picture that requires an estimation e.g. the height of a building, then collect this estimation data.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match each term to the correct $$Q$$.

      Correct Answer:Lower quartile,$$Q_1$$
      Correct Answer:Median,$$Q_2$$
      Correct Answer:Upper quartile,$$Q_3$$

      Q2.
      Use this graph to estimate the median.

      An image in a quiz
      10
      15
      Correct answer: 30
      36
      38

      Q3.
      Use this graph to estimate the lower quartile.

      An image in a quiz
      5
      7.5
      Correct answer: 18
      21
      24

      Q4.
      Use this graph to estimate the upper quartile.

      An image in a quiz
      15
      30
      31
      Correct answer: 36
      42

      Q5.
      60% of people score or less.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 13

      Q6.
      Any pupil scoring over 16 marks gets a certificate. How many certificates are given out?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the letters to the correct term.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:A,Lowest value
      Correct Answer:B,Lower quartile
      Correct Answer:C,Median
      Correct Answer:D,Upper quartile
      Correct Answer:E,Highest value

      Q2.
      What is the median height?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 125 cm, 125cm, 125

      Q3.
      What is the upper quartile height?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 131 cm, 131

      Q4.
      What is the lower quartile of this set of data? 17, 13, 19, 21, 13, 14

      Correct Answer: 13

      Q5.
      Below is a box plot for this set of data: 17, 13, 19, 21, 13, 14. What is the value of point E on the box plot?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 21

      Q6.
      Below is a box plot for this set of data: 17, 13, 19, 21, 13, 14. What is the value of point C on the box plot?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 15.5

      To help you plan your 11 maths lesson on: Constructing box plots, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...