How to Calculate Stem And Leaf
What is Stem And Leaf?
A stem-and-leaf plot is a data display that organises values by their leading digits (stems) and trailing digits (leaves), giving a quick visual distribution while preserving all original values.
Formula
Stem | Leaf format where stem = tens digit, leaf = ones digit; displays ordered distribution
- S
- Stem (tens) (digit)
- L
- Leaf (ones) (digit)
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Stem = leading digit(s); Leaf = final digit
- 2Order stems vertically; list leaves in order for each stem
- 3Back-to-back: two datasets sharing stems, leaves on each side
- 4Useful for small-to-medium datasets (10–100 values)
Worked Examples
Input
Dataset: 12,15,21,23,27,31,35
Result
1|2 5
2|1 3 7
3|1 5
(1|2 means 12)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a stem-and-leaf plot of 23, 25, 27?
Stem 2 | Leaves 3, 5, 7. Shows values in 20s with specific ones digits.
Why use stem-and-leaf instead of histogram?
Stem-and-leaf preserves exact values. Histogram shows frequencies only. Good for smaller datasets (10-50 values).
Can I use for decimals?
Yes. 2.3, 2.5, 2.7 becomes Stem 2 | Leaves 3, 5, 7 (with decimal noted).