Selecting the Correct Frequency Table

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 75 views

Understanding the Importance of Frequency Tables

When it comes to creating a histogram, selecting the correct frequency table is crucial. A frequency table is a table that displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs. In this article, we will discuss how to select the correct frequency table for a histogram, using the given data as an example.

What is a Frequency Table?

A frequency table is a table that displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs. It is a useful tool for understanding the distribution of data and for creating a histogram. A frequency table typically includes two columns: one for the value and one for the frequency.

Types of Frequency Tables

There are two main types of frequency tables: absolute frequency tables and relative frequency tables.

Absolute Frequency Tables: An absolute frequency table displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs. For example, if a value occurs 5 times in a dataset, the absolute frequency table would display 5.
Relative Frequency Tables: A relative frequency table displays the proportion of times each value in a dataset occurs. For example, if a value occurs 5 times in a dataset, the relative frequency table would display 5/20 or 0.25.

Selecting the Correct Frequency Table

When selecting a frequency table for a histogram, it is essential to consider the type of data and the purpose of the histogram. If the data is categorical, an absolute frequency table may be more suitable. However, if the data is numerical, a relative frequency table may be more suitable.

Example: Fiona's Data

Fiona has to plot a histogram of the given data:

${82, 83, 89, 67, 65, 88, 66, 69, 83, 81, 94, 68, 82, 69, 86, 83, 88, 62, 64, 93}$

To create a histogram, Fiona needs to select the correct frequency table. Since the data is numerical, a relative frequency table may be more suitable.

Creating a Relative Frequency Table

To create a relative frequency table, Fiona needs to divide the absolute frequency of each value by the total number of values in the dataset. The total number of values in the dataset is 20.

Value	Absolute Frequency	Relative Frequency
62	1	0.05
64	1	0.05
65	1	0.05
67	1	0.05
68	1	0.05
69	2	0.10
81	1	0.05
82	2	0.10
83	3	0.15
86	1	0.05
88	2	0.10
89	1	0.05
93	1	0.05
94	1	0.05

Creating a Histogram

Once Fiona has created the relative frequency table, she can create a histogram. A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of data. It is a useful tool for understanding the distribution of data and for identifying patterns and trends.

Interpreting the Histogram

When interpreting the histogram, Fiona can see that the data is skewed to the right. The majority of the values are concentrated in the range of 60-80. However, there are a few values that are much higher, such as 89 and 94.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the correct frequency table is crucial when creating a histogram. A relative frequency table may be more suitable for numerical data, while an absolute frequency table may be more suitable for categorical data. By selecting the correct frequency table, Fiona can create a histogram that accurately represents the distribution of her data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a frequency table? A frequency table is a table that displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs.
What are the two main types of frequency tables? The two main types of frequency tables are absolute frequency tables and relative frequency tables.
How do I select the correct frequency table? To select the correct frequency table, consider the type of data and the purpose of the histogram.
What is a histogram? A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of data.

References

"Frequency Tables" by Khan Academy
"Histograms" by Math Is Fun
"Relative Frequency Tables" by Statistics How To
Frequently Asked Questions: Frequency Tables and Histograms ===========================================================

Q: What is a frequency table?

A: A frequency table is a table that displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs. It is a useful tool for understanding the distribution of data and for creating a histogram.

Q: What are the two main types of frequency tables?

A: The two main types of frequency tables are absolute frequency tables and relative frequency tables.

Absolute Frequency Tables: An absolute frequency table displays the number of times each value in a dataset occurs. For example, if a value occurs 5 times in a dataset, the absolute frequency table would display 5.
Relative Frequency Tables: A relative frequency table displays the proportion of times each value in a dataset occurs. For example, if a value occurs 5 times in a dataset, the relative frequency table would display 5/20 or 0.25.

Q: How do I select the correct frequency table?

A: To select the correct frequency table, consider the type of data and the purpose of the histogram. If the data is categorical, an absolute frequency table may be more suitable. However, if the data is numerical, a relative frequency table may be more suitable.

Q: What is a histogram?

A: A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of data. It is a useful tool for understanding the distribution of data and for identifying patterns and trends.

Q: How do I create a histogram?

A: To create a histogram, you need to follow these steps:

Select the correct frequency table: Choose the correct frequency table based on the type of data and the purpose of the histogram.
Create a table: Create a table with the values and their corresponding frequencies.
Plot the histogram: Plot the histogram using the table.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a histogram?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when creating a histogram include:

Not selecting the correct frequency table: Make sure to select the correct frequency table based on the type of data and the purpose of the histogram.
Not creating a table: Make sure to create a table with the values and their corresponding frequencies.
Not plotting the histogram correctly: Make sure to plot the histogram correctly using the table.

Q: How do I interpret a histogram?

A: To interpret a histogram, follow these steps:

Look for patterns and trends: Look for patterns and trends in the data.
Identify the distribution: Identify the distribution of the data, such as whether it is skewed or normal.
Analyze the outliers: Analyze the outliers and determine whether they are significant or not.

Q: What are some real-world applications of frequency tables and histograms?

A: Some real-world applications of frequency tables and histograms include:

Data analysis: Frequency tables and histograms are used in data analysis to understand the distribution of data.
Business: Frequency tables and histograms are used in business to analyze customer behavior and sales data.
Science: Frequency tables and histograms are used in science to analyze experimental data and identify patterns and trends.

Q: How do I create a frequency table in Excel?

A: To create a frequency table in Excel, follow these steps:

Select the data: Select the data you want to create a frequency table for.
Go to the "Data" tab: Go to the "Data" tab in Excel.
Click on "Data Analysis": Click on "Data Analysis" in the "Data" tab.
Select "Frequency": Select "Frequency" in the "Data Analysis" dialog box.
Click "OK": Click "OK" to create the frequency table.

Q: How do I create a histogram in Excel?

A: To create a histogram in Excel, follow these steps:

Select the data: Select the data you want to create a histogram for.
Go to the "Insert" tab: Go to the "Insert" tab in Excel.
Click on "Histogram": Click on "Histogram" in the "Insert" tab.
Select the data range: Select the data range you want to create a histogram for.
Click "OK": Click "OK" to create the histogram.

Q: How do I create a frequency table in R?

A: To create a frequency table in R, follow these steps:

Load the "dplyr" package: Load the "dplyr" package in R.
Use the "table" function: Use the "table" function to create a frequency table.
Use the "prop.table" function: Use the "prop.table" function to create a relative frequency table.

Q: How do I create a histogram in R?

A: To create a histogram in R, follow these steps:

Load the "ggplot2" package: Load the "ggplot2" package in R.
Use the "ggplot" function: Use the "ggplot" function to create a histogram.
Use the "geom_histogram" function: Use the "geom_histogram" function to create a histogram.

Conclusion

In conclusion, frequency tables and histograms are essential tools for data analysis. By understanding how to create and interpret frequency tables and histograms, you can gain valuable insights into your data and make informed decisions.