AP Statistics 1.8 Boxplots Overview
Construct and describe boxplots from five-number summaries, using quartiles, the median, outliers, and mean-median relationships.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Statistics
Construct and describe boxplots from five-number summaries, using quartiles, the median, outliers, and mean-median relationships.
The sizes, in square feet, of the 20 rooms in a student residence hall at a certain university are summarized in the following histogram.
Summary statistics for the sizes are given in the following table.
| Mean | Standard Deviation | Min | Q1 | Median | Q3 | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 231.4 | 68.12 | 134 | 174 | 253.5 | 292 | 315 |
Determine whether there are potential outliers in the data. Then use the following grid to sketch a boxplot of room size.
Part (b):
The interquartile range is IQR =292-174=118 square feet. There are no potential outliers because the minimum room size of 134 square feet does not fall below Q1−1.5(IQR)=−3 square feet, and the maximum room size of 315 square feet does not exceed Q3+1.5(IQR)=469 square feet.
The manager of an automotive company is interested in comparing the gas mileages for cars
manufactured in Country A and cars manufactured in Country B. The manager selected a
random sample of 100 cars manufactured in Country A and a random sample of 100 cars
manufactured in Country B. The gas mileages for each sample, in miles per gallon (mpg), are
summarized in the boxplots.

Boxplots of Gas Mileage for Each Country
For the distribution of gas mileage for the sample of cars manufactured in Country A, would
you expect the mean to be greater than 18 mpg, less than 18 mpg, or equal to 18 mpg ? Justify
your answer.
| Model Solution | Scoring | |
|---|---|---|
| B | The mean of the distribution of gas mileage for the sample of cars manufactured in Country A is expected to be greater than 18 mpg, the median of the distribution. Because the distribution of gas mileage for the sample of cars manufactured in Country A has an outlier to the right (or is skewed to the right), the mean of the distribution (which is not resistant) is expected to be pulled above the median (which is resistant) toward the higher values of gas mileage. | Essentially correct (E) if the response satisfies the following three components: 1. Indicates that the mean of the distribution of gas mileage for the sample of cars manufactured in Country A is expected to be greater than 18 mpg 3. Provides a reasonable justification for the relationship between the mean and the median based on a right-skewed distribution or the expectation that an outlier in the right tail will pull the mean above the median Partially correct (P) if the response satisfies component 1 AND either component 2 or component 3. Incorrect (I) if the response does not meet the criteria for E or P. |
Scoring Notes:
- A response that states the median is 18 mpg in either part A or part B satisfies component 2.
- A response that provides a weak justification (e.g., "because the distribution is skewed") does not satisfy
component 3. However, a response that provides a justification based on the distribution being right skewed
may satisfy component 3.
- Component 3 may be satisfied with an appropriate numerical argument that shows that the mean must be
greater than 18 mpg.
○ An example of an inappropriate numerical argument would be averaging portions of the five-number
summary.