HISTOGRAMS

Representing Data
OCR Module 9

Why use a Histogram

When there is a lot of data When data is

Continuous

a mass, height, volume, time etc usually in groups or classes that are UNEQUAL

Presented in a Grouped Frequency Distribution

NO GAPS between Bars Continuous data

Bars are different in width Determined by Grouped Frequency Distribution

So we use FREQUENCY DENSITY

= Frequency Class width

AREA is proportional to FREQUENCY NOT height, because of UNEQUAL classes!

Grouped Frequency Distribution

Classes

Speed, kph Frequency

0< v 40 40< v 50 50< v 60 60< v 90 90< v 110 80 15 25 90 30

Drawing

Sensible Scales Bases correctly aligned

Plot the Class Boundaries Frequency Density

Heights correct

Frequency Densities
Speed, kph
Class width

0< v 40 40< v 50 50< v 60 60< v 90 90< v 110

40 10 10 30 20

Frequency Frequency Density

80

15

25

90

30

2.0

1.5

2.5

3.0

1.5

Freq Dens

Frequency = Width x Height

Frequency = 40 x 2.0 = 80

3.0

2.0

1.0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Speed (kph)