What is the primary purpose of using box plots in data analysis?

The primary purpose of using box plots in data analysis is to summarize key percentile values in a dataset. A box plot, also known as a whisker plot, displays the dataset's minimum, first quartile (25th percentile), median (50th percentile), third quartile (75th percentile), and maximum values. This visual representation allows for a quick assessment of central tendency and variability, as well as identification of potential outliers. Since box plots focus on these specific percentile values, they effectively portray the distribution's spread and symmetry.

While box plots can indeed be useful for comparing distributions across different datasets, their fundamental function is to provide a summary of a single dataset's key statistics. The other options, while related to data analysis in general, do not capture the primary role that box plots serve. Understanding how box plots encapsulate essential information about a dataset's distribution is crucial for interpreting and communicating data insights effectively.