In a stem and leaf plot, what does the stem represent?

In a stem and leaf plot, the stem represents the initial digits of the numbers in the dataset. This method is used to display quantitative data while preserving the original values. Each number in the dataset is split into two parts: the stem, which contains the leading digits, and the leaf, which contains the final digit(s). For instance, if you have the number 54, the 5 serves as the stem, indicating the tens place, while the 4 acts as the leaf, showing the units place. This visual representation helps to both organize the data and allow for easy interpretation, such as identifying the distribution and frequency of data points. By focusing on the initial digits, it facilitates comparison among numbers in the same range.