A table utilizing digit(s) of a number as stems and the other plot digit(s) as leaves.
A stem-and-leaf plot is a way of organizing numerical data that keeps the original values visible while also showing the shape of the distribution. Each number in the data set is split into two parts: the stem (usually the leading digit or digits) and the leaf (usually the final digit).
For example, consider these values: 12, 15, 18, 21, 23, 27, 31.
The stem-and-leaf plot would look like this:
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Stem | Leaf
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1 | 2, 5, 8
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2 | 1, 3, 7
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3 | 1
Each stem represents the tens digit, and each leaf represents the ones digit. Reading stem 1, leaf 2 gives us back the original value: 12.
Stem-and-leaf plots are useful because they organize data without losing any of the original values, unlike a bar graph, which shows frequency but not the actual numbers. They also make it easy to spot the range, identify clusters, and find the median quickly.
When Do Students Learn About Stem-and-Leaf Plots?
Students encounter stem-and-leaf plots as part of their introduction to data representation and statistics.
Grades 4–6 – Introduction to Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Students learn to read and create stem-and-leaf plots, using them to organize small data sets and draw basic conclusions about the data.
Grades 6–8 – Stem-and-Leaf in Statistical Analysis
Students use stem-and-leaf plots alongside other data displays to compare distributions, identify measures of central tendency, and analyze data sets.
