GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF DATA

Various types of graphical representation of data are

 Histogram
 Frequency polygon
 Frequency curves
 Ogives (Less than & Greater than)
 Frequency Lines

Histogram – Frequency Polygon & Frequency Curve

Graphs

Graphs are charts consisting of points, lines and curves. Charts are drawn on
graph sheets. Suitable scales are to be chosen for both x and y axes, so that the entire data
can be presented in the graph sheet. Graphical representations are used for grouped
quantitative data.

Histogram

When the data are classified based on the class intervals it can be represented by a
histogram. Histogram is just like a simple bar diagram with minor differences. There is
no gap between the bars, since the classes are continuous. The bars are drawn only in
outline without coloring or marking as in the case of simple bar diagrams. It is the
suitable form to represent a frequency distribution. Class intervals are to be presented in x
axis and the bases of the bars are the respective class intervals. Frequencies are to be
represented in y axis. The heights of the bars are equal to the corresponding frequencies.

Example: 5 Draw a histogram for the following data

Seed Yield (gms) No. of Plants

2.5-3.5 4

3.5-4.5 6

4.5-5.5 10

5.5-6.5 26

6.5-7.5 24

7.5-8.5 15
8.5-9.5 10

9.5-10.5 5
Frequency Polygon
The frequencies of the classes are plotted by dots against the mid-points of each
class. The adjacent dots are then joined by straight lines. The resulting graph is known as
frequency polygon.

Example: 6 Draw frequency polygons for the following data

Seed Yield (gms) No. of Plants

2.5-3.5 4

3.5-4.5 6

4.5-5.5 10

5.5-6.5 26

6.5-7.5 24

7.5-8.5 15

8.5-9.5 10

9.5-10.5 5
Frequency Curve
The procedure for drawing a frequency curve is same as for frequency polygon.
But the points are joined by smooth or free hand curve.

Example 7: Draw frequency curve for the following data

Seed Yield (gms) No. of Plants

2.5-3.5 4

3.5-4.5 6

4.5-5.5 10

5.5-6.5 26

6.5-7.5 24

7.5-8.5 15

8.5-9.5 10

9.5-10.5 5
Ogives
Ogives are known also as cumulative frequency curves and there are two kinds of
ogives. One is less than ogive and the other is more than ogive.

Less than ogive: Here the cumulative frequencies are plotted against the upper boundary
of respective class interval.
Greater than ogive: Here the cumulative frequencies are plotted against the lowerboundaries
of respective class intervals.
Example 8:

Continuous Mid-Point Frequency < cumulative > cumulative

Interval Frequency frequency

0-10 5 4 4 29

10-20 15 7 11 25

20-30 25 6 17 18

30-40 35 10 27 12

40-50 45 2 29 2
 Cumulative
Frequency

Boundary values

Difference between bar diagram and Histogram

A histogram is one of the most commonly used graphs to show the frequency
distribution. As we know that the frequency distribution defines how often each different
value occurs in the data set. The histogram looks more similar to the bar graph, but there is a
difference between them. The list of differences between the bar graph and the histogram is
given below:

Histogram Bar Graph

It is a two-dimensional figure It is a one-dimensional figure

The frequency is shown by the area of The height shows the frequency and the width has
each rectangle no significance.

It shows rectangles touching each other It consists of rectangles separated from each other
with equal spaces.
The above differences can be observed from the below figures:

Bar Graph (Gaps between bars)

Histogram (No gaps between bars)

ADVANTAGES OF DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION

The presentation of data using several kinds of diagrams offers a number of benefits that
should not be overlooked. They constitute
 Facilitates comprehension to a great extent - The display of data with the assistance
of diagrams makes it simpler for everyone to understand, which in turn makes it
simpler to comprehend the facts that lie behind the data that is being provided.
 The presentation has been much simplified - The presentation of extreme values—
both extended unstable data and small complicated data complex—can be simplified
exponentially with the use of diagrams.
 Comparison operations are more interactive - Diagrams applied when representing
datasets that need a comparison of their elements. Not only is the presentation
appealing to the eye, but it is also perfectly suited for contrasting two sets of statistical
data.
 Accepted Universally - Diagrams are utilised in each and every academic and
professional discipline across the globe, including but not limited to economics,
commerce, science, engineering, statistics, and many more. As a result, this method of
data presentation is widely recognised and utilised.
 Makes the Data Representation in Its Entirely More Accurate - If diagrams and
tables are not used to illustrate the data, then the statistics will be incomplete. As a
result, the implementation of diagrams is beneficial to the overarching statistical idea
of data representation.
 Easy to understand – Diagrammatic data presentation makes it easier for a common
man to understand the data. Diagrams are usually attractive and impressive and
many newspapers and magazines use them frequently to explain certain facts
or phenomena. Modern advertising campaigns also uses diagrams.
 Simplified Presentation – You can represent large volumes of complex data in a
simplified and intelligible form using diagrams.
 Reveals hidden facts – When you classify and tabulate data, some facts are not
revealed. Diagrammatic data presentation helps in bringing out these facts and
also relations.
 Quick to grasp – Usually, when the data is represented using diagrams, people can
grasp it quickly.
 Easy to compare – Diagrams make it easier to compare data.