A box plot uses thin lines called whiskers that extend from the box to the smallest and largest data values. To find the range, read the two outer whisker ends on the number line, then subtract the smaller value from the larger one. A box edge marks the middle half, while an axis end may not represent any data.
Hints
- Hint 1
In a box plot, each whisker is a thin line extending from the box. Its outer end marks either the smallest or largest value. Read both outer ends against the number line, not the edges of the box.
- Hint 2
The range is a distance, so take the largest value minus the smallest value. The number line extends beyond the data in this plot. Which two weights do the whisker ends mark?
Step-by-step
Read the whisker ends
Step 1Find the lightest and heaviest weights
No Desmos needed. Read the whisker ends off the box plot. The outer whisker ends mark the minimum (lightest weight) and maximum (heaviest weight). They line up with grams and grams. For a range, use the whisker ends, not the box edges or the axis ends.
- Step 2
Subtract to find the range
The range is the maximum minus the minimum. Subtract the two weights you found:
So the package weights have a range of grams. Choice B.