Frequency histogram and polygon

The frequency histogram is like a column graph without the spaces between columns.
The frequency polygon is a special line graph used in statistics.
These graphs can be drawn separately or combined.
The information in a frequency distribution table can be used to draw these graphs.

Score Tally Frequency

11 IIII I 6
12 IIII 5
13 IIII IIII IIII 14
14 IIII I 6
15 IIII II 7
16 II 2
40

The scores The frequency

go on the goes on the
horizontal axis vertical axis
Frequency Histogram

14 The area of
the column
12 represents the
frequency for
10
Frequency

that score
8

6
Allow a half- The columns
column width 4 have no space
gap at the between
2
start them
0
11 12 13 14 15 16
Scores

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Owned by State of NSW through the Department of Education and Communities 2011. This work may be freely reproduced and distributed 1/2
for non-commercial educational purposes only. Permission must be received from the department for all other uses.
The frequency polygon is drawn on axes the same as the histogram the scores on the horizontal
axis and the frequency on the vertical axis.

Frequency Polygon

14 The points
show the
12 frequency for
that score
10
Frequency

8
Polygon starts 6
at the corner, Polygon
one unit 4 finishes on
before the the axis, one
2
first score number after
0 the last score
11 12 13 14 15 16
Scores

When both the frequency histogram and polygon are drawn on the same axes they look like this:

Frequency Histogram

14

12

10
Frequency

0
11 12 13 14 15 16
Scores
The area under the polygon is the same as the area of the histogram.

For more homework help, tips and info sheets go to www.schoolatoz.com.au

Owned by State of NSW through the Department of Education and Communities 2011. This work may be freely reproduced and distributed 2/2
for non-commercial educational purposes only. Permission must be received from the department for all other uses.