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Histograms and Bar Graphs Solutions

  •    Data    is a collection, or set, of information that can be quantitative or categorical. 
    •    Quantitative    data is numerical. 
    •    Categorical    data is data that is divided into categories or groups.

Histograms are used to compare quantitative data.


  • The horizontal axis has    equal    intervals of data.
  • Intervals on a histogram    meet    but never overlap.
  • Each element of the data set will fit into only    one interval   .
  • The    vertical    axis of a histogram identifies the number of elements in each interval.
  • Histograms can compare the intervals for the data set, but    cannot be used    to find the exact mean or median for the data set.

Bar graphs are used to compare categorical data.


  • The horizontal axis will represent the distinct    categories    of the data.
  • Each bar is separated by a    space    to show distinctness.
  • The vertical axis identifies the    frequency   , or number, of elements in each category.

Example 1

Determine if the data is quantitative or categorical.

  1. Rhoda surveyed ten people to list the type of pets they owned.

Categorical.

  1. Amelia surveyed ten people to determine the number of pets they each had.

Quantitative.

Example 2

Construct a histogram.

Abigail listed the daily temperature in Fahrenheit for fifteen days.

Temperature=63, 65, 74, 71, 82, 81, 72, 87, 79, 83, 85, 90, 91, 83, 82

Temperature Number of Days
60–69 2
70–79 4
80–89 7
90–99 2

Example 3

Construct a bar graph.

A local theater company listed the attendance of their newest production for opening week.

Day of the Week Total Attendance
Monday 45
Tuesday 40
Wednesday 38
Thursday 50
Friday 65
Saturday 70

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