A stem and leaf plot is a way of presenting data in which each data value is split up into two parts: the stem (usually all digits but the last) and the leaf (usually the last digit).

For example, to place the data value \(17\) in the pictured stem and leaf plot, we would use \(1\) as the stem and \(7\) as the leaf.

In a stem and leaf plot, the stem values are usually listed in a column, and the corresponding leaf values are usually placed in a row beside the stem.

The stem and leaf plot is useful for grouping the data values according to their stems. It allows you to quickly see which data stems correspond to the most values in the data set.