HISTOGRAM We usually add 0.

5 to the upper class limit

A histogram is a special graph of in order to arrive at what is called the upper
representing a given data with over-lapping class boundary while 0.5 is subtracted from
rectangular bars in which each bar the lower class limit in order to arrive at
represents only one category of the data. what is called the lower class boundary.
It is otherwise known as the frequency bar 8. Class Interval: It must be noted that
chart, frequency bar graph, histo-graph or there are different meanings for class
histo-chart. interval. The class interval may simply be
TERMS IN HISTOGRAM called the interval.
1. Class: A class can be defined as a a. Class interval as a class: When the class
category (group) into which the given data interval is viewed as a class, it is referred to
are sorted (categorized). It may be referred as a range of values derived from a given
to as simply as interval or a class interval. data. E.g., 10-15 may be regarded as a class
Due to this, the class is also referred to as interval.
the range of values into which the given data b. Class interval as a class width: When
are classified, categorized or grouped. For the class interval is viewed as a class width,
example, if we are given the following: 10- it is referred to as the difference between the
15, 16-21… the first 10-15 is called a class lower limit of a given lower class and the
and the second 16-21 is also called a class. lower limit of the next upper class. It is also
2. Class Limits: A class limit is the extreme the difference between the lower class
number in a class. boundary of a given lower class and the
3. Class Mid-point: A class mid-point is the lower class boundary of the next upper class.
half-way between the class limits of a given On the other hand, it is the difference
class. The class mid-point is otherwise between the upper class boundary and lower
known as the class centre or class mark. class boundary of a given class.
4. Grouped Data: A grouped data involves Example 1
the use of intervals, ranges, classes to If the given classes are: 10-15, 16-21… the
represent the given data. The data in each class width of each class will become:
interval is usually summarized by a 16-10 = 6.
frequency. Example 2
5. Ungrouped Data: An ungrouped data is If the given classes are: 10-15, 16-21… the
the one that does involve the use of intervals class width of each class is calculated as:
to represent a given data. (10 minus 0.5) – (15 plus 0.5), (16 minus
6. Break in scale: A break in scale stands 0.5) – (21 plus 0.5)…will become 9.5-15.5,
for omission or non-availability of data. It is 15.5-21.5.
usually represented by a symbol as: Ϟ. Therefore, the class width= 15.5-9.5 = 6
Example 3
7. Class Boundaries: A class boundary is
If the given classes are: 10-15, 16-21… the
the extreme value in a class after a zero
class width of each class is calculated as:
point five is either added to or subtracted
from the class limits.

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(10 minus 0.5) – (15 plus 0.5), (16 minus stands for the suggested number of classes
0.5) – (21 plus 0.5)…will become 9.5-15.5, and ‘n’ stands for the number of
15.5-21.5. observations in the given data.
Therefore, the class width= 15.5-9.5= 6 However, we may decide to use the exact
Or 21.5-15.5= 6 value of ‘K’ suggested or any number that is
c. Class interval as a class size: When the immediately less than or greater than the
class interval is viewed as a class size, it is estimated or suggested value of ‘K’, which
referred to as the difference between the depends on the given data.
upper class limit and the lower class limit of WORKED EXAMPLE
a given class plus one. If the following represent the scores of
That is: (Upper class limit – Lower class students in Biology test, estimate the
limit) + 1 number of class intervals to be used for the
Example 1 given data: 11, 17, 23, 28, 12, 19, 23, 29, 12,
If the given classes are: 10-15, 16-21… the 20, 23, 29, 13, 20, 24, 29, 15, 21, 27, 27, 16,
class size of each class will become: 22, 28, 28, 16, 22, 27, and 29.
15-10 = 5+1= 6 or 21-16 = 5+1 = 6 SUGGESTED SOLUTION
Formula Method of Estimation of Class Using the 2 K Rule:
Interval, Class Size or Class width. K
2 ≥n .
Whenever we are given a raw data, which n = 28 (by counting)
require the estimation of the class interval, Suggested value of K = 5
class size or class width on our own, we can K
2 ≥n
use the formula method below: The above becomes 25 ≥28
Range Since 32 is the immediate lowest value
C=
K that is≥ 28
Where:
Then, k = 5 that fulfils the 2 K Rule
C = Class interval, class size, class width
Therefore, the number of class intervals = 5
Range= Maximum number – Minimum
However, the number of class intervals to be
number
used in actual fact can be equal to 5 or it
K = Number of classes or class intervals
may be either less than or greater than the 5
depending on the given data.
Formula Methods of Estimation of
B. Sturges’ formula: Sturges’ formula
Number of Classes or Class Intervals (K)
states that the number of class intervals
There are two formula methods of
expected to be used for a given data is equal
estimating the number of classes or class
to the value of S in: S=1+ 3.3 log n . The
intervals, which are:
‘S’ stands for the number of class intervals
A. 2 K Rule B. Sturges’ formula
and ‘n’ stands for the number of
A. 2 K Rule: The 2 K Rule states that the observations in the given data. However, we
number of classes expected to be used for a may decide to use the exact value of ‘S’ or
given data is the lowest number of K, which any value that is less than or greater than the
satisfies the condition of: 2 K ≥n . The ‘K’

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estimated value of ‘S’, which depends on the When it is longer towards the right, it is said
given data. to be positively skewed or skewed to the
WORKED EXAMPLE right, and vice versa.
Given the raw scores of students in Biology
test, calculate the number of class intervals WORKED EXAMPLE ON HISTOGRAM
expected to be used for the given data: 11, EXAMPLE I: Consider the weights of
17, 23, 28, 12, 19, 23, 29, 12, 20, 23, 29, 13, certain athletes given below, measured in
20, 24, 29, 15, 21, 27, 27, 16, 22, 28, 28, 16, kilograms:
22, 27, and 29.
Suggested Solution 25 20 30 12 15 30 30 30 20 15
Using the Sturges’ formula:
S=1+ 3.3 log n 12 25 12 25 20 12 30 12 30 20
Where: n = 28 (by counting)
25 12 15 25 12 15 25 30 20 30
S = Number of class intervals
∴ S=1+3.3 log28
15 30 12 15 30 30 25 20 25 12
S=1+ 3.3× 1.4472
S=1+ 4.77576 30 25 30 12 30 20 30 25 30 30
S= 5.77576
S≈ 6 Required: Represent the above on a
NOTE: The number of class intervals can be histogram.
equal to, greater than or less than the value
of ‘S’, depending on the given data. Suggested Response
9. Frequency: It is a statistics that represents
the number of times an item occurs in a A FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF THE
distribution. It also represents the number of WEIGHTS OF CERTAIN ATHLETES
items that fall into a class or group. Weights Tally Frequency
10. Distribution: It is a list or an array of 12 //// //// 10
data. It is also a schedule that contains 15 //// / 6
data.It is otherwise called a schedule or 20 //// // 7
25 //// //// 10
table.
30 //// //// //// // 17
11. Frequency Distribution: It is a table that
shows the frequencies of various items,
A HISTOGRAM OF THE WEIGHTS
groups, classes or class intervals.
OF CERTAIN ATHLETES
12. Tally: It is the statistics of symbols that
represents frequencies with the use of
strokes. It involves using a stroke to cross
four strokes as the basis of representation of
frequencies.
13. Skewness: It is a situation whereby the
tail of the shape of a graph is either longer or
fatter towards the right hand side or the left.
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Frequency ¿ 18
(No of students) ∴ Class =3 = Class width
6
18
16 12 STAGE II
14 A FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF
12 15
10 THE WEIGHTS OF CERTAIN
8 20 ATHLETHES
6
4 25
2 Weights Tally Frequency Class
0 30
(kg) Boundary
Weights(kg) Obj100

12-14 //// // 10 11.5-14.5

Scale: Let 1cm = 5 units on the frequency //
axis 15-17 //// / 6 14.5-17.5
Ϟ denotes that the weights between zero and 18-20 //// // 7 17.5-20.5
12kg are not available. 21-23 0 20.5-23.5
24-26 //// /// 10 23.5-26.5
/
Method II
27-29 0 26.5-29.5
NOTE: We use the class boundaries on the
30-32 //// //// 17 29.5-32.5
horizontal axis and frequency on the vertical //// //
axis as the case may be.
STAGE I
WORKINGS
a. Using the 2K Rule:
K
2 ≥n .
Where n = 50 (by counting)
If K= 6,
K
2 ≥n .
Becomes
6
2 ≥50 .
∴ 64 ≥ 50
Since K=6 fulfils the 2k Rule
Then, the number of intervals=6
NOTE: You should remember that the actual STAGE III
number of intervals may be equal to, less A HISTOGRAM OF THE WEIGHTS
than or greater than the estimated number. OF CERTAN ATHLETES
¿ Range
b. Class
K
Range=Maximum weight−Minimum weight
= 30 – 12
= 18
K= 6

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Scale: 1cm = 2 units on the vertical axis
Ϟ = Data for the class boundaries between
zero and 11.5 are not available.

CONCEPT OF FREQUENCY POLYGON

Can you recollect that we stated that the
frequency polygon is a form of non-linear
graph? We have deliberately postponed its
consideration to this area because it is
related to the histogram we just explained.
MEANING OF FREQUENCY POLYGON
A frequency polygon is a non-linear graph
that is produced from connecting the mid-
points of the tops of the rectangular bars of
the histogram.
This shows that it can be drawn from the
given histogram. However, it can also be
drawn from the combination of the
frequency values and class marks.

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