© Copyright McGraw-Hill 2004 2-1 CHAPTER 2 Frequency Distributions and Graphs

© Copyright McGraw-Hill 20042-1

CHAPTER 2

Frequency Distributions and Graphs


Objectives

Organize data using frequency distributions.

Represent data in frequency distributions graphically using histograms, frequency polygons, and ogives.

Represent data using Pareto charts, time series graphs, and pie graphs.

Draw and interpret a stem and leaf plot.


Introduction

This chapter will show how to organize data

and then construct appropriate graphs to

represent the data in a concise, easy-to-

understand form.


Basic Vocabulary

When data are collected in original form,

they are called raw data.

A frequency distribution is the organization

of raw data in table form, using classes and

frequencies.

The two most common distributions are

categorical frequency distribution and the

grouped frequency distribution.


Grouped Frequency Distributions

When the range of the data is large, the data

must be grouped into classes that are more

than one unit in width.

The lower class limit represents the smallest

data value that can be included in the class.


Grouped Frequency Distributions (cont’d.)

The upper class limit represents the largest

value that can be included in the class.

The class boundaries are used to separate

the classes so that there are no gaps in the

frequency distribution.


Class Boundaries Significant Figures

Rule of Thumb: Class limits should have the

same decimal place value as the data, but

the class boundaries have one additional

place value and end in a 5.


Finding Class Boundaries

The class width for a class in a frequency distribution is found by subtracting the lower (or upper) class limit of one class from the the lower (or upper) class limit of the next class.

The class midpoint is found by adding the lower and upper boundaries (or limits) and dividing by 2.


Class Rules

There should be between 5 and 20 classes.

The class width should be an odd number.

The classes must be mutually exclusive.

The classes must be continuous.

The classes must be exhaustive.

The classes must be equal width.


Types of Frequency Distributions

A categorical frequency distribution is used when the data is nominal.

A grouped frequency distribution is used when the range is large and classes of several units in width are needed.

An ungrouped frequency distribution is used for numerical data and when the range of data is small.


Why Construct Frequency Distributions?

To facilitate computational procedures for measures of average and spread.

To enable the reader to determine the

nature or shape of the distribution.

To enable the reader to make comparisons among different data sets.

To organize the data in a meaningful, intelligible

way.

To enable the researcher to draw charts and graphs

for the presentation of data.


Categorical Frequency

1. Make a table p. 36(List all categories)

2. Tally the data

3. Count the tallies

4. Find the percentage of values in each class by using the formula p. 36

5. Find the totals for the Frequency and Percent.


Categorical Frequency Group Assignment

Objective: To construct a Categorical

Frequency Distribution Table

1. Data Bank p.745-746

2. Use the Marital Status Data ( 1- 25)

3. Material Needed: Chart Paper, Textbook,

Markers, Notebook Paper, Ruler, Pencil


Grouped Frequency

1. Determine the classes.

• Find the highest and lowest value.

• Find the range.

• Select the number of classes desired.

• Find the width by dividing the range by the number of classes and rounding up.

• Select a starting point; add the width to get the lower limit.

• Find the upper class limits.

• Find the boundaries.


Grouped Frequency Distribution

2. Tally the data

3. Find the numerical frequencies from the

tallies.

4.Find the cumulative frequencies.( Adding the

frequency in each class to the total of the

frequencies of the classes preceding that

class)


Grouped Frequency Distribution

Class limits Class Boundaries Tally Frequency Cum.

Freq


Ungrouped Frequency Distribution

What is the difference between Grouped and

Ungrouped?

Range of Data is small. Class limits consisting

of a single data value.


The Role of Graphs

The purpose of graphs in statistics is to

convey the data to the viewer in pictorial

form.

Graphs are useful in getting the audience’s

attention in a publication or a presentation.


Three Most Common Graphs

0

2

4

6

8

0 10.5 20.5 30.5 40.5 50.5 60.5 70.5 80.5

Class Boundaries

Fre

quen

cy

The histogram displays the data by using

vertical bars of various heights to represent

the frequencies.


Three Most Common Graphs (cont’d.)

012345678

0.5 10.5 20.5 30.5 40.5 50.5 60.5 70.5 80.5

Class Midpoints

Fre

quency

The frequency polygon displays the data by

using lines that connect points plotted for

the frequencies at the midpoints of the

classes.


0

10

20

30

0 10.5 21 31.5 42 52.5 63 73.5 84 94.5

Class Boundaries

Cum

ulat

ive

Fre

quen

cy

Three Most Common Graphs (cont’d.)

The cumulative frequency or ogive

represents the cumulative frequencies for

the classes in a frequency distribution.


Relative Frequency Graphs

A relative frequency graph is a graph that

uses proportions instead of frequencies.

Relative frequencies are used when the

proportion of data values that fall into a

given class is more important than the

frequency.


Other Types of Graphs

A Pareto chart is used to

represent a frequency

distribution for

categorical variable, and

the frequencies are

displayed by the heights

of vertical bars, which

are arranged in order

from highest to lowest.

How People Get to Work

0

10

20

30

Auto Bus Trolley Train Walk

Freq

uenc

y


Other Types of Graphs (cont’d.)

A time series graph represents data that

occur over a specific period of time.

Temperature Over a 5-hour Period

35

40

45

50

55

12 1 2 3 4 5

Time

Tem

p.


Other Types of Graphs (cont’d.)

A pie graph is a circle

that is divided into

sections or wedges

according to the

percentage of

frequencies in each

category of the

distribution.

Favorite American Snacks

potato chips38%

tortilla chips27%

pretzels14%

popcorn13%

snack nuts8%


Stem-and-Leaf Plots

A stem-and-leaf plot is a data plot that uses

part of a data value as the stem and part of

the data value as the leaf to form groups or

classes.

It has the advantage over grouped

frequency distribution of retaining the actual

data while showing them in graphic form.


2.4 Group Assignment

1. Create a graph according to the given data

2. Write-UP(on chart paper)

• Write the steps

• Key Points to Remember


2.4 Group Assignment Data

Pie Data Bank: X –AL, MS, GA, FL , TN

Parento Data Bank: XII –Lighting, Tornadoes,

Wind, Extreme Heat

Time Data Bank: XII -Tornadoes 1993-1988

Stem and Leaf Data Bank: XIV- 1st and 2nd

Column


Summary of Graphs and Uses

Histograms, frequency polygons, and

ogives are used when the data are

contained in a grouped frequency

distribution.

Pareto charts are used to show

frequencies for nominal variables.


Summary of Graphs and Uses (cont’d.)

Time series graphs are used to show a

pattern or trend that occurs over time.

Pie graphs are used to show the

relationship between the parts and the

whole.


Conclusions

Data can be organized in

some meaningful way

using frequency

distributions. Once the

frequency distribution is

constructed, the

representation of the data

by graphs is a simple task.

Documents

© Copyright McGraw-Hill 2004 2-1 CHAPTER 2 Frequency Distributions and Graphs