Stem and Leaf Diagram

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GCSE Maths Statistics Representing Data Stem And Leaf Diagram
Stem And Leaf Diagram
Here we will learn about stem and leaf diagrams, including drawing, interpreting and comparing diagrams.
There are also stem and leaf diagram worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on
where to go next if you’re still stuck.
What is a stem and leaf diagram?
A stem and leaf diagram is a method of organising numerical data based on the place value of the numbers.
Each number is split into two parts.
The first digit(s) form the stem,
The last digit forms the leaf.
The leaf should only ever contain a single digit.
For example, the number 154 would be split into two parts where the digits 15 would be the stem and 4 would be the leaf.
To set up a stem and leaf diagram we need to:
Organise the data into ascending order, smallest to largest;
Determine how the numbers are split into 2 parts by writing a key for the stem and leaf diagram;
Write the values for the ‘stem’ into the stem and leaf diagram;
Write the values for the ‘leaf’ into the stem and leaf diagram.
Note: A stem and leaf diagram must have a key (sometimes referred to as a legend). This explains how to convert the digits in the stem
and leaf diagram into a single data point. Remember to include any units in the key if appropriate.
We can use stem and leaf diagrams to calculate averages like the median, the mode and the mean, and to calculate measures of spread
like the range and the interquartile range.
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What is a stem and leaf diagram?
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Dual stem and leaf diagram
Comparing data sets is simplified by using a dual stem and leaf diagram which have two sets of data represented back to back.
For example, here are two sets of data showing test scores of 20 males and 20 females.
By combining them together to form one dual stem and leaf diagram, we can directly compare the two sets of data.
The data must be closely related for it to be compared effectively on the diagram.
Note that the digits in the leaf for Females is still in ascending order but from right to left, rather than left to right. Also, the key
represents the data values for each side of the stem and leaf diagram.
How to draw a stem and leaf diagram
In order to draw a stem and leaf diagram:
1 Order the numbers from smallest to largest.
2 Split the numbers into two parts, the last part must be one digit only.
3 Put the values into the diagram and create a key.
 How to draw a stem and leaf diagram
Stem and leaf diagram worksheet
Get your free stem and leaf diagram worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
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Related lessons on representing data

Stem and leaf diagram is part of our series of lessons to support revision on representing data. You may find it helpful to start with the
main representing data lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual
topics. Other lessons in this series include:
Representing data 
Line graph 
Pie chart 
Frequency polygon 
Scatter graphs 
Bar chart 
Two way tables 
Frequency diagram 
Frequency graph 
x and y axis 
Tally chart 
Time series graph 
Pictograph 

Stem and leaf diagram examples
Example 1: two digit numbers
The data below shows the ages of people at a party.
35, 50, 37, 44, 53, 41, 39, 45, 48, 56
Draw an ordered stem and leaf diagram for the data. Remember to include a suitable key.
35, 50, 37, 44, 53, 41, 39, 45, 48, 56
becomes
35, 37, 39, 41, 44, 45, 48, 50, 53, 56
The number in our data will split into tens and units so 35 will be 3 and 5 (3 represents 30 and 5 is 5 units)
Example 2: three digit numbers
The data below shows the length in centimetres of 13 long jumps on a year 9 sports day.
153, 144, 148, 140, 149, 145, 144, 142, 158, 135, 140, 139, 160.
Draw an ordered stem and leaf diagram for the following set of data. Remember to include a suitable key.
Show step
Show step

Show step

Example 3: decimal values
 A group of students are making model gargoyles out of clay. The weight of each gargoyle is written below.
1.5kg 2.3kg 1.6kg 3.1kg 3.1kg

1.4kg 2.5kg 1.7kg 1.8kg 2.4kg

Draw an ordered stem and leaf diagram for data. Remember to include a suitable key.
Show step
Show step
Show step
Example 4: answering questions using a stem and leaf diagram
The stem and leaf diagram below shows the ages of a group of people at a party.
1 How many people are there in the group?
Show step
2 What age is the youngest member of the group?
Show step
3 What age is the oldest member of the group?
Show step
4 How many people are under 45?
Show step
5 How many people are 45 and over?
Show step
Example 5: calculating averages and the range from a stem and leaf diagram
The stem and leaf diagram belowcookies

shows and
the weight
how toof 10 puppies
manage in kilograms
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1 Write down the modal weight.
Show step
2 Find the median weight.
Show step
3 Find the range of the weights.
Show step
4 Find the mean weight of the puppies.
Show step
Example 6: dual stem and leaf diagram
This dual stem and leaf diagram shows the results for the students in Miss Thomas’ class.
1 Find the range of the boys’ results.
Show step
2 Find the median of the girls’ results.
Show step
3 Find the modal mark for the boys’ results.
Show step
4 Compare the boys’ and girls’ results.
Show step
Common misconceptions
Incorrectly
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For example, for the following stem and leaf

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Miscounting
A common error is to incorrectly count the numbers in a stem and leaf diagram when calculating an average or range. It is a good idea to
mark off each number to avoid missing a number out
More than one digit for the leaf
The leaf must only be one digit, otherwise the data can be greatly misinterpreted. Make sure that the smallest place value for the data is
used for the leaf.
Practice stem and leaf diagram questions
1. Which stem and leaf diagram matches this data?
29cm 60cm 51cm 34cm

42cm 61cm 46cm 36cm
63cm 50cm 57cm 53cm

60cm 39cm 47cm 40cm
Use the key 2∣1 represents 21cm.

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2. The stem and leaf diagram below shows heights of Mrs Wilks’ flowers in centimetres.
What is the range of the height of Mrs Wilks’ flowers?
22
32
41
3. Below is a stem and leaf diagram showing the scores of 18 javelin throws in a school sports day. The longest throw wins.
What was the mean distance thrown?
10m
19.9m
20.5m
3.8m

4. The stem and leaf diagram below represents a sample of the lengths of leaves from a tree.
Which average would be the most suitable to represent the data?
Mean
Median
Range
Mode
5. The stem and leaf diagram below shows the maximum weight of a deadlift lifted by each competitor in a weightlifting competition.
Everyone managed to record at least one lift.
What was the median weight lifted?
215lbs
220lbs
225lbs
235lbs
6. 42 people competed in a local 3 legged race. The time for each pair was recorded in a back to back stem and leaf diagram.

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Select the completed stem and leaf diagram for the adult race using the results below.
16.3s 18.1s 15.9s 16.1s 17.4s 18.9s 17.5s

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Stem and leaf diagram GCSE questions
1. Here are the ages of 14 people in years. Show answer
42 34 55 39 40 51 47
39 42 55 42 48 49 42

Draw an ordered stem and leaf diagram for their ages.
(3 marks)
2. The number of people visiting a restaurant each day, for 11 days, is listed below. Show answer
104 131 120 115 109 124 128 118 116 120 125
(a) Use the key to complete an ordered stem and leaf diagram for this information.
(b) Write down the mode.
(c) Write down the median
(d) Write down the range.
(5 marks)
3. The head of modern languages is looking at the year 11 mock exam results for German and Show answer
Spanish.
The results are shown below in the stem and leaf diagram:
(a) What is the modal score for Spanish?
(b) What is the modal group for German?
(c) What is the difference between the range for German and the range for Spanish?
(d) Compare the median value for the two subjects and comment on the pupils’ performance.
(6 marks)
Learning checklist
You have now learned how to:
Interpret and construct tables
Construct and interpret diagrams for discrete data
Interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of data sets from univariate empirical distributions through appropriate graphical
representation involving discrete data
The next lessons are

Mean, median, mode 
Frequency table 
Cumulative frequency 
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In order to access this I need to be confident with:
Place value
Factors and multiples
Arithmetic
Mean, median, mode
Range
This topic is relevant for:
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What is a stem and leaf diagram?

Each number is split into two parts.

The first digit(s) form the stem,

The last digit forms the leaf.

The leaf should only ever contain a single digit.

To set up a stem and leaf diagram we need to:

Organise the data into ascending order, smallest to largest;

cookies and how to manage or change your cookie settings. Accept

Dual stem and leaf diagram

How to draw a stem and leaf diagram

In order to draw a stem and leaf diagram:

1 Order the numbers from smallest to largest.