Box plot: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:34, 28 June 2006

Revision as of 02:34, 28 June 2006

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[[Image:R-speed of light boxplot.png|thumb|Box plot of data from the [[Michelson-Morley experiment]].]]

In [[descriptive statistics]], a '''box plotboxplot''' (also known as a '''box-and-whisker diagram''') is a convenient way of graphically depicting the [[five-number summary]], which consists of the smallest observation, lower [[quartile]], [[median]], upper [[quartile]] and largest observation.

Boxplots are able to visually show different types of [[statistical population|populations]], without any assumptions of the [[probability distribution|statistical distribution]]. The spacings between the different parts of the box can help indicate [[variance]], [[skewness|skew]] and identify [[outlier]]s.