Which of the following is useful when you want to organize and summarize your data in a report?

• A. A stem-and-leaf plot
• B. A scatterplot
• C. A line graph
• D. A frequency table

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of organizing and summarizing data: When preparing a report, you want a method that clearly shows how often each value or category occurs, making it easier to interpret the data at a glance.
2. Review the options given: A stem-and-leaf plot displays data distribution and retains original data values, a scatterplot shows relationships between two variables, and a line graph displays trends over time.
3. Recognize that a frequency table lists each unique data value or category alongside the number of times it appears, effectively summarizing the data in a compact and clear format.
4. Conclude that among the options, a frequency table is the most straightforward and useful tool for organizing and summarizing data in a report because it provides a clear count of occurrences.
5. Remember that while other graphical methods are useful for visualization, frequency tables are fundamental for summarizing data numerically before creating visual representations.