Making a Line Plot
Aligned to 2.MD.D.9 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
A line plot shows measurements on a number line. You put one X above the number for each object that is that length.
Worked examples
Example 1
You measure three pencils: 4 in, 5 in, and 5 in. On the line plot, put one X above 4 and two X's above 5.
Example 2
You measure five leaves: 3, 4, 4, 4, and 6 cm. The tallest stack of X's sits above 4, because 4 cm is the most common length.
Example 3
A line plot needs every number on the line, even ones with no X. Leaving out 5 would make the gap between 4 and 6 disappear.
Practice questions
- Four crayons are 3, 3, 4, and 6 cm long. How many X's go above 3?
- On a line plot, what does each X stand for?
- If two erasers are both 2 in, how many X's go above 2?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Hacer un diagrama de puntos
Un diagrama de puntos muestra medidas en una recta numérica. Pones una X arriba del número por cada objeto que tenga ese largo.
Ejemplo 1: Mides tres lápices: 4 pulg, 5 pulg y 5 pulg. En el diagrama, pon una X arriba del 4 y dos X arriba del 5.
Ejemplo 2: Mides cinco hojas: 3, 4, 4, 4 y 6 cm. La torre más alta de X está arriba del 4, porque 4 cm es el largo más común.
Ejemplo 3: Un diagrama de puntos necesita todos los números en la recta, aunque no tengan X. Quitar el 5 haría desaparecer el hueco entre el 4 y el 6.
More Measurement & Data lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required