1. What is a Back-to-Back Stem and Leaf Plot?

A back-to-back stem and leaf plot is a graphical method to display two datasets that share the same stems, with leaves extending to the left for one dataset and to the right for the other. This allows for easy comparison between the two distributions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator processes two datasets by:

• Splitting each number into a stem and leaf based on the leaf unit
• Organizing the leaves for each stem
• Displaying the left dataset's leaves on the left side of the stem
• Displaying the right dataset's leaves on the right side of the stem

3. Interpreting the Plot

Key Features:

• Stems (middle column) represent the leading digits
• Left Leaves represent the trailing digits for Dataset 1
• Right Leaves represent the trailing digits for Dataset 2
• The Leaf Unit indicates the place value of the leaves

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions:

1. Enter numbers for Dataset 1 (will appear on the left)
2. Enter numbers for Dataset 2 (will appear on the right)
3. Specify the leaf unit (default is 1)
4. Click "Generate Plot"

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the purpose of a back-to-back stem and leaf plot?
A: It allows visual comparison of two distributions while maintaining the individual data points.

Q2: How do I choose the leaf unit?
A: The leaf unit should be a power of 10 (like 1, 0.1, 10) that makes the plot informative but not too spread out.

Q3: Can I use decimal numbers?
A: Yes, the calculator handles decimal numbers. Just ensure your leaf unit is appropriate.

Q4: What if my datasets have very different ranges?
A: The plot will show all stems needed to cover both datasets, with empty sides where one dataset has no values.

Q5: How is this different from side-by-side box plots?
A: While box plots show summary statistics, stem-and-leaf plots preserve the individual data values.