Line Plots with Fractions — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A line plot shows: 18→2 Xs, 28→4 Xs, 38→1 X, 48→3 Xs. A student says the mode is 48 because it is the largest fraction.
Corrected: The mode is 28 because it has the most X marks (4 Xs). Mode means the most frequent value, not the largest.
The corrected sentence is: "The mode is 28 because it has the most X marks (4 Xs). Mode means the most frequent value, not the largest.". The original sentence "A line plot shows: 18→2 Xs, 28→4 Xs, 38→1 X, 48→3 Xs. A student says the mode is 48 because it is the largest fraction." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
A line plot shows: 14→3 Xs, 12→5 Xs, 34→2 Xs. A student says there are 3 data points total.
Corrected: There are 10 data points total (3 + 5 + 2 = 10). Each X mark represents one data point, not each position on the line.
The corrected sentence is: "There are 10 data points total (3 + 5 + 2 = 10). Each X mark represents one data point, not each position on the line.". The original sentence "A line plot shows: 14→3 Xs, 12→5 Xs, 34→2 Xs. A student says there are 3 data points total." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
A line plot shows: 14→1 X, 12→3 Xs, 34→2 Xs, 1→4 Xs. A student says 12 has the fewest X marks.
Corrected: 14 has the fewest X marks with only 1 X. The value 12 has 3 Xs, which is not the fewest.
The corrected sentence is: "14 has the fewest X marks with only 1 X. The value 12 has 3 Xs, which is not the fewest.". The original sentence "A line plot shows: 14→1 X, 12→3 Xs, 34→2 Xs, 1→4 Xs. A student says 12 has the fewest X marks." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A line plot shows ribbon lengths in yards: 14→2 Xs, 12→6 Xs, 34→3 Xs, 1→1 X. The most common ribbon length is 12.
The most common value (mode) is the one with the most X marks. 12 yard has 6 X marks, more than any other value.
2. A line plot shows ribbon lengths in yards: 14→2 Xs, 12→6 Xs, 34→3 Xs, 1→1 X. The total number of ribbons measured is 12.
Count all X marks: 2 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 12 ribbons total.
3. A line plot shows amounts of water in cups: 18→3 Xs, 38→5 Xs, 58→2 Xs, 78→4 Xs. The number of containers with 78 cup is 4.
The 78 marker on the line plot has 4 X marks, representing 4 containers that held 78 cup of water.
4. A line plot shows amounts of water in cups: 18→3 Xs, 38→5 Xs, 58→2 Xs, 78→4 Xs. The value with the fewest X marks is 58.
Count X marks at each value: 18→3, 38→5, 58→2, 78→4. The fewest X marks (2) are at 58.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A line plot shows caterpillar lengths in inches: 14→4 Xs, 12→2 Xs, 34→5 Xs, 1→1 X. How many more caterpillars measured 34 inch than 12 inch? Explain how you found your answer.
Sample answer: I looked at 34 inch (5 Xs) and 12 inch (2 Xs). Then I subtracted: 5 − 2 = 3. So 3 more caterpillars measured 34 inch than 12 inch.
To compare counts, subtract the smaller count from the larger: 5 − 2 = 3 more caterpillars at 34 inch.
2. A line plot shows juice amounts in cups: 18→2 Xs, 28→6 Xs, 38→3 Xs, 48→1 X. What is the mode? Explain what the mode tells you.
Sample answer: The mode is 28 cup because it has the most X marks (6 Xs). This tells us that more containers held 28 cup than any other amount.
The mode is the data value with the greatest frequency (most X marks). A mode of 28 tells us it was the most commonly measured amount.