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A histogram is a graphical representation of data distribution that uses bars to display the frequency or count of data within specific intervals or categories. The bars are typically adjacent and of equal width, with the height representing the corresponding frequency of the data. This type of graph is commonly used to illustrate the shape of numerical data, such as continuous or discrete variables. Examples of histograms include the distribution of heights among a group of individuals, the number of cars sold per month, or the frequency of grades received by students on a test.
Describe the Shape of Histograms (With Examples)
A histogram is a type of chart that allows us to visualize the distribution of values in a dataset.
The x-axis displays the values in the dataset and the y-axis shows the frequency of each value.
Depending on the values in the dataset, a histogram can take on many different shapes.
The following examples show how to describe a variety of different histograms.
1. Bell-Shaped
A histogram is bell-shaped if it resembles a “bell” curve and has one single peak in the middle of the distribution. The most common real-life example of this type of distribution is the .
2. Uniform
A histogram is described as “uniform” if every value in a dataset occurs roughly the same number of times. This type of histogram often looks like a rectangle with no clear peaks.
3. Bimodal
A histogram is described as “bimodal” if it has two distinct peaks. We often say that this type of distribution has multiple modes – that is, multiple values occur most frequently in the dataset.
4. Multimodal
A histogram is described as “multimodal” if it has more than two distinct peaks.
5. Left Skewed
A histogram is left skewed if it has a “tail” on the left side of the distribution. Sometimes this type of distribution is also called “negatively” skewed.
6. Right Skewed
A histogram is right skewed if it has a “tail” on the right side of the distribution. Sometimes this type of distribution is also called “positively” skewed.
7. Random
The shape of a distribution can be described as “random” if there is no clear pattern in the data at all.
The following tutorials provide more information on how to describe distributions.
Cite this article
stats writer (2024). What is the shape of histograms and can you provide examples?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-is-the-shape-of-histograms-and-can-you-provide-examples/
stats writer. "What is the shape of histograms and can you provide examples?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 5 May. 2024, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-is-the-shape-of-histograms-and-can-you-provide-examples/.
stats writer. "What is the shape of histograms and can you provide examples?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2024. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-is-the-shape-of-histograms-and-can-you-provide-examples/.
stats writer (2024) 'What is the shape of histograms and can you provide examples?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-is-the-shape-of-histograms-and-can-you-provide-examples/.
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