How to Create a Frequency Histogram

A histogram is a type of bar graph that shows relationships between categories. The height of each bar on the chart shows how often a particular item or event occurred. The information in histograms is drawn from a frequency chart, a chart of data obtained from an experiment or study. The frequency chart shows class limits, or categories of data. For example, a frequency table might list class limits for IQs as 0-50, 51-100, 101-150 and 151-200. The histogram allows you to see a visual representation of your data.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Frequency table
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a horizontal line across the graph paper, two thirds of the way down. Draw a vertical line at the left side of the paper, 1 inch from the edge. the line should start one third of the way down the paper and end two thirds of the way down the paper. The result should be an "L" shape on your paper.

    • 2

      Write the word "Frequency" on the left-hand side of the vertical line you drew in Step 1.

    • 3

      Divide the vertical line into even segments. The bottom of the line (where it touches the horizontal line) should be labeled with the lowest number in your frequency table and the top of the line should be labeled with the highest number in your frequency table. Make sure to space the numbers on the line evenly.

    • 4

      Label the vertical line with the rest of the frequencies.

    • 5

      Count the number of class limits listed in your frequency table. Class limits are categories the data falls into.

    • 6

      Divide the horizontal line up into even segments, according to how many class limits you counted.

    • 7

      Label the horizontal line with the class limits listed in the frequency table.

    • 8

      Fill in the center of the chart, using bars to represent the heights of each category. For example, if category 1 had a frequency of 10, draw a bar to a height of "10" in the first class limit section on the horizontal line.

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