Click here for this interactive resource.

This is an interactive web-based resource that allows students to both enter data into, and customize the parameters for, a histogram.

A histogram is defined as a bar graph that shows frequency data. The first step in making a histogram is to collect data and sort it into categories. To continue, you must label the data as the independent set or the dependent set. The characteristic you grouped the data by would be the independent variable and the frequency of that set would be the dependent variable.

Now you must draw a graph and label it. The horizontal axis should be labeled with the independent variable and the vertical axis should be labeled with the dependent variable. Each mark on either axis should be in equal increments, such as 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. For each category find the related frequency and make horizontal marks to show the frequency. When you are done plotting your data, you can easily look at it and see what occurs more often and what doesn't.

This activity can be used to:

• introduce the idea of a histogram
• practice reading a histogram
• develop recognition and understanding of data representations
• illustrate the idea of averages, both through numerical and geometrical methods

 

The following resources can be used in conjunction with this activity:

• Exploration Questions
• Scales and Impressions Worksheet
• Comparing Histograms and Bar Graphs Worksheet

This resource requires the use of Adobe Flash. Please make sure you have this feature enabled in your browser. If you need assistance enabling it, please contact the SAS Help Desk (1-877-973-3727).

math, Shodor, histogram, data

The Shodor Foundation is a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to the advancement of science and math education, specifically through the use of modeling and simulation technologies. For more information, please visit www.shodor.org.