Line Plots

Grade 2 · measurement · 86 practice problems · read aloud

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What is a Line Plot?

A line plot is a simple graph that shows how many times each measurement appears. It uses X marks above a number line. It's useful because it helps us see and count our measurements quickly! 📊

How to Make a Line Plot

  1. Measure: Find the length or height of different objects.
  2. Draw a Line: Draw a horizontal line and write the measurements below it.
  3. Mark X's: For each object, put one X above its measurement.
  4. Count: Look at the tallest stack of X's to see which measurement is most common.

Examples

Example 1: Pencil Lengths

We measured 5 pencils: 4 inches, 5 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, 4 inches.

Line Plot:

X
X X
X X X
4 5 6 (inches)

Answer: Most pencils are 4 inches long.

Example 2: Book Heights

We stacked books and measured their height: 3 blocks, 2 blocks, 3 blocks, 4 blocks, 2 blocks, 3 blocks.

Line Plot:

X X
X X X
X X X X
2 3 4 (blocks)

Answer: The most common height is 3 blocks.

Common Mistakes

Mixing up measurements: Make sure all your X's are for the same unit (all inches or all blocks).

Forgetting to label: Always write what you are measuring (like "inches") next to your number line.

Counting wrong: Count each X slowly. It helps to point to each one!

Tips & Tricks

🔍 Look for the tallest tower of X's to find the most popular measurement.

✏️ Make neat X's so you don't get them mixed up.

➕ Add as you go: Put an X on the plot right after you measure something.

How to Practice

  • Measure your toys! How many blocks tall are they?
  • Ask your family for their shoe sizes and make a line plot.
  • Look for line plots in your math book or in magazines.

Practice problems

6 of the 86, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 14 + 7 = ?

Hint: Think about how many more you need to get to 20, then add what's left.

Show the answer

Answer: 21

  1. Start with 14.
  2. Add 7. First, add 6 to 14 to get 20.
  3. Then add the remaining 1: 20 + 1 = 21.

The answer is 21.

2 9 + 12 = ?

Hint: Think about counting on from the larger number. Start at 12 and count up 9 more.

Show the answer

Answer: 21

  1. Start with the larger number, 12.
  2. Count on 9 more: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
  3. 12 + 9 = 21.

The answer is 21.

3 16 + 9 = ?

Hint: Think about how to break 9 into a smaller number to make adding easier.

Show the answer

Answer: 25

  1. Start with 16.
  2. Add 9. You can break 9 into 4 and 5 to make a ten: 16 + 4 = 20, then 20 + 5 = 25.
  3. So, 16 + 9 = 25.

The answer is 25.

4 17 + 9 = ?

Hint: Think about adding the ones place first. If the ones add up to more than 9, you will need to make a new ten.

Show the answer

Answer: 26

  1. Add the ones place: 7 + 9 = 16. Write down the 6 in the ones place and carry over the 1 to the tens place.
  2. Add the tens place, including the carried-over 1: 1 (from 17) + 1 (carried over) = 2.
  3. Combine the tens and ones: 20 + 6 = 26.

The answer is 26.

5 25 + 37 = ?

Hint: Start by adding the numbers in the ones place, then add the numbers in the tens place.

Show the answer

Answer: 62

  1. Write the numbers vertically in your mind (or on paper): 25 + 37
  2. Start by adding the digits in the ones column (rightmost column): 5 + 7 = 12
  3. Since 12 is a two-digit number, we split it into 10 and 2. We write down the 2 in the ones place of the answer and carry over the 1 (which stands for 10) to the tens column.
  4. Now add the digits in the tens column, including the carry-over: 2 (from 25) + 3 (from 37) + 1 (carried over) = 6
  5. Place the 6 in the tens place of the answer.
  6. Combine the tens digit and ones digit: 6 and 2 makes 62. So, 25 + 37 = 62.

Let's add 25 and 37 step by step.

6 42 + 29 = ?

Hint: Add the ones digits first, then the tens digits. Remember to regroup if needed.

Show the answer

Answer: 71

  1. Add the ones digits: 2 + 9 = 11. Write down 1 in the ones place and carry over 1 to the tens place.
  2. Add the tens digits: 4 + 2 = 6, plus the carried over 1 makes 7.
  3. Combine the tens and ones: 70 + 1 = 71.

The answer is 71.

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