Read a Stem-and-Leaf Plot

Read a Stem-and-Leaf Plot

A stem-and-leaf plot organizes data so you can read the values quickly. The stem gives the leading digit(s), and the leaf gives the last digit. Each data value is made by combining one stem with one leaf.

1) Identify the parts

• Read the stem first.
• Then attach each leaf to that stem.
• For example, if the stem is 4 and the leaf is 7, the value is 47.

2) List the data values carefully

Go row by row and write each number from the plot. If a stem has several leaves, each leaf represents a separate data value.

3) Keep the place value consistent

Make sure you understand what the stem represents. In some plots, stems may stand for tens and leaves for ones. Use the plot’s scale if it is shown.

4) Simplify the final answer

If the question asks for a list, arrange the values clearly. If it asks for a statistic such as the smallest, largest, or median, use the numbers you read from the plot.

Check your work

• Count the values you wrote and compare that count with the number of leaves.
• Read each number again to make sure no leaf was skipped or misplaced.
• Make sure the numbers are in the correct scale and order if needed.