Box Plots | Math Mystery Worksheets | Grades 6–8 | Median Quartiles and IQR

Ten detective cases put box plots to work — students read two plots drawn on one number line, write each answer in the box beside it, match that answer to a suspect's number, and cross suspects off until one is left standing. This no-prep, printable, self-checking Math Mystery keeps 6th, 7th, and 8th graders engaged and works for math centers, morning work, homework, early finishers, substitute/relief days, indoor recess, spiral review, and test prep. The early cases read values straight off the plot; the later ones add the interquartile range and compare the two data sets.

Quick Details

Skill: Reading and comparing box plots · Grades: 6–8 · Format: 10 mysteries + full answer keys (printable PDF) · Theme: School detective

The 10 Mysteries

The Bus Lane Blunder — The depot logged how many riders rode each bus last term, and students read the Reds and Blues plots to pull out the median, the range and the least value.

The Swim Meet Swap — Two squads swam the same race and every time was written down, so students compare the Eels and Rays plots to find the quartiles and the spread.

The Canteen Caper — Both canteen stalls counted their orders every day this term and students read the Buns and Pies plots to name the culprit.

The Track Day Tangle — Every lap at the track day was timed to the nearest second, and students work the Karts and Bikes plots for medians, whiskers and range.

The Music Room Mix — Both music clubs logged the minutes they practised and students read the Drums and Harps plots to eliminate suspects.

The Game Night Grift — Scores were written down for every round played, and students compare the Jets and Subs plots to work out who cheated.

The Field Trip File — Each minibus raised money on every day of the trip and students read the Vans and Jeeps plots to follow the cash.

The Science Fair Fix — Two panels scored every project at the fair, and students use the Owls and Hawks plots to find who rigged the result.

The Locker Room Leak — Both year groups counted the cans they brought in each day and students work the Bears and Lions plots to close the case.

The Pizza Stall Job — Each stall wrote down the dollars it took every day of the fair, and students compare the Cones and Rolls plots using the IQR and count the values sitting inside the box.

Why Teachers Love It

Zero prep — print and teach. The built-in answer keys make every case self-checking, so students get instant feedback and stay motivated. The detective hook pulls in reluctant and struggling learners, and because the cases climb from straight plot-reading to interquartile comparisons, one pack differentiates across a whole week.

Skills Covered

Reading box and whisker plots, the five-number summary, median, lower and upper quartiles, minimum and maximum, whiskers, range and interquartile range, and comparing two distributions on a shared number line — plus logical reasoning and deductive elimination as students rule suspects out clue by clue.

What's Included

Printable one-page mystery worksheets, paired box plots and data tables on every case, suspect line-ups, complete answer keys with the villain marked, and student instructions — all in one PDF.

Best Used For

Box plot and data analysis practice in math centers, morning work, homework, early finishers, substitute/relief days, indoor recess, spiral review, and test prep for grades 6–8.

More From This Line

Browse every Math Mystery pack, or keep the data unit running with Histograms and Stem and Leaf Plots.