
Reviewed by Franz Jerby Delos Santos
What is the difference between a bar graph and a histogram?
Answer: The difference between a bar graph and a histogram is that bar graphs display categorical data while histograms show frequency distributions of numerical data
Bar graphs and histograms are both common methods of displaying data visually, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Understanding the differences between them is important for choosing the right tool to represent your data.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using Data Type Comparison
This method explains the difference by examining the type of data each graph represents.
Step 1: Step 1: Recognize that bar graphs are used for categorical data, where each bar represents a separate category
Step 2: Step 2: Understand that histograms are used for numerical (interval or ratio) data, where each bar represents a range or bin of values
Math Tutor Explanation Using Visual Structure Comparison
This method compares the visual and structural differences between the two graphs.
Step 1: Step 1: Note that bar graphs have spaces between individual bars to emphasize the separate categories
Step 2: Step 2: Realize that histogram bars touch each other to show continuous data grouped into intervals or bins
Step 1:
Step 2:
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Explore these related questions to enhance your knowledge of graphs, data representation, and key differences between mathematical concepts.
FAQ on Bar Graphs and Histograms
Can a bar graph and a histogram look similar?
Sometimes they look similar, but histograms have adjacent bars with no gaps because they show continuous data, while bar graphs have gaps between bars for separate categories.
What kind of data is best for a histogram?
Histograms are best for numerical data that can be grouped into ranges, such as test scores or ages.
Why do histogram bars touch each other?
Because the data represented by a histogram is continuous and grouped into intervals that directly follow each other.
Can a bar graph display numerical data?
A bar graph can display numerical data if it is sorted into categories, but for showing the distribution of continuous numerical data, a histogram is better.
Do both graphs use axes the same way?
Both use axes, but bar graphs use categories on one axis and frequency on the other, while histograms use numerical intervals and frequency.