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Stem and Leaf


In a stem and leaf diagram we write an ordered list of numbers with the digits of number split up. Usually we split the tens (which become the stems) and the ones (which become the leaves).


Here are the times, in seconds, it took 15 students to complete a task.

45 24 37 47 49
39 36 26 38 23
40 30 31 29 23

When we draw a stem and leaf diagram for this data the tens will become the stems and the ones will become the leaves.

stem and leaf 1

A 2 in the stem will represent 20, 3 will represent 30 and 4 will represent 40.

We now write all of the ones in order.

We can start with all the numbers with a zero in the ones:
For 30 we will write a 0 on the same line as the 3 stem.
For 40 we write a 0 on the same line as the 4 stem.

Next we can write all the numbers with a 1 in the ones, and then 2, and then 3...

stem and leaf

We alway include a key to show how we have split the numbers.

stem and leaf 18


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Lesson

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Here is a simple ordered stem and leaf diagram:

Stem | Leaf
 1   | 2 5 8
 2   | 1 4 7
 3   | 0 6

This represents the numbers 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 and 36. The stem is the first part of each number, and the leaf is the last digit.

A key is essential because it tells you exactly what one stem and one leaf mean, including the units. For example, if the key is 4∣7=474 \mid 7 = 474∣7=47 seconds, then stem 4 and leaf 7 make 47 seconds. If the units were centimetres instead, the same stem and leaf would mean 47 cm.

In an ordered diagram, the leaves in each row go from smallest to largest. This makes it quick to read the data in order and find the smallest, largest and middle values.

Questions

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40 exam-style questions

Practice questions

Question 1

3 marks

Here are the heights, in cm, of 15 plants.

35 41 47 32 45

40 52 33 55 41

29 38 42 48 38

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21 flashcards

Practice flashcards

In 47, place value makes 4 worth [     ] and 7 worth [     ].

Stem and Leaf Revision Guide

  1. GCSE
  2. /Maths
  3. /Stem and Leaf

Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Maths Stem and Leaf. Open the guide for explanations and worked examples. Written against the Edexcel GCSE Maths (1MA1) specification, so the content matches what's examinable rather than general Maths background.

Revision guides

Calculation ProblemsUsing a CalculatorSystematic ListingFractions of an AmountFractions, Decimals and PercentagesSimplifying AlgebraWriting an ExpressionFunction MachinesSolving One Step EquationsAnglesArea and PerimeterProbabilityFrequency PolygonsAveragesBar ChartsStem and LeafPie Charts

Practise questions

1 of 2

A stem and leaf diagram has the key 4∣7=474|7=474∣7=47 seconds. What value does 3∣93|93∣9 represent?

Practise questions

1 of 3

A stem and leaf diagram has rows 2∣3 5 82|3\ 5\ 82∣3 5 8, 3∣0 1 1 63|0\ 1\ 1\ 63∣0 1 1 6 and 4∣24|24∣2. The key is 2∣3=232|3=232∣3=23. What is the range?

Practise questions

1 of 3

Consider the stem and leaf plot below.

StemLeaf
12 5 8
20 1 1 5
30 2 2 2 5
41 3

Key: 1|2 means 12

What is the smallest value in the data set?