Stem and Leaf Plot Generator

A stem-and-leaf plot (stemplot) is a way to display quantitative data that preserves the original data values while showing the shape of the distribution. Each number is split into a stem (leading digits) and a leaf (trailing digit). For example, 47 has stem 4 and leaf 7.

1) Identify the stem unit (typically tens). 2) Write stems in a vertical column. 3) Write the leaf (ones digit) for each value next to its stem. 4) Order leaves from least to greatest. 5) Include a key showing how to read the plot, e.g., '2|3 = 23'.

A split stem-and-leaf plot divides each stem into two rows: one for leaves 0-4 and one for leaves 5-9. This provides more detail when data is concentrated in few stems. For stem 3: "3* | 0 1 2 3 4" and "3. | 5 6 7 8 9".

A back-to-back stem-and-leaf plot compares two datasets by sharing a common stem column. One dataset's leaves extend left, the other's extend right. This allows direct comparison of distributions.

Count the total number of data values (n). For odd n, the median is the (n+1)/2th value. For even n, average the n/2th and (n/2+1)th values. Count through the plot from smallest to largest to find these positions.

Use stem-and-leaf plots for small to medium datasets (typically 15-150 values) when you want to show distribution shape while preserving actual data values. They're excellent for finding median, mode, and identifying outliers.