Graphical Displays of

Data
Section 2.2

Objectives
Create and interpret the basic types
of graphs used to display data

Introduction
A graph is a snapshot that allows us to
view patterns at a glance without
undergoing lengthy analysis of the data.
Graphs are much more visually
appealing than a table or list.
A graph should be able to stand alone,
without the original data. Graph must
be given a title, as well as labels
for both axes.

Purpose of Statistical
Graphs
To convey the data to the viewers in pictorial
form
It is easier for most people to comprehend the
meaning of data presented as a picture than data
presented as a table. This is especially true if the
viewers have little or no statistical knowledge

To describe the data set

To analyze the data set (Distribution of data set)
To summarize a data set
To discover a trend or pattern in a situation over
a period of time
To get the viewers attention in a publication or
speaking presentation

Graphs Used to Display

Qualitative Data

Pie Chart
Pie Chart is a circle
that is divided into
sections or wedges
according to the
percentage of
frequencies in each
category of the
distribution.
Show relationship of
the parts to the
whole

Pareto Chart*
Bar graph
Used to represent a
frequency distribution
for a categorical
variable (nominal
level) and the
frequencies are
displayed by the
heights of the
contiguous vertical
bars, which are
arranged in order from
highest to lowest.

How do I create a Pareto Chart

from a categorical frequency
distribution?

STEP 1: Draw the x- and y-axes

STEP 2: Label the x-axis using the
qualitative categories (highest
frequency to lowest frequency)
STEP 3: Label the y-axis using an
appropriate scale that encompasses
the high and low frequencies
STEP 4: Draw the contiguous vertical
bars

Example
Nursing

Business Admin

Education

Computer Info
Systems

Political Science

Art

General Studies

Nursing

Education

Education

Psychology

Business Admin

Psychology

Business Admin

General Studies

General Studies

General Studies

History

History

History

General Studies

Education

Computer Info
Systems

Nursing

Education

General Studies

Education

History

Class (Major)

Frequency

Percentage

Art

3.6%

Business
Administration

10.7%

Computer Info
Systems

7.1%

Education

21.4%

General Studies

21.4%

History

14.3%

Nursing

10.7%

Political Science 1

3.6%

Psychology

7.1%

TOTAL

28

100%

Other Bar Graphs

Side-by-Side Bar Graph

Used to compare
different groups
Typically, uses
different colored bars
to distinguish groups

Stacked Bar Graph

Histogram*
A bar graph that
displays the data from
a frequency
distribution
Horizontal Scale (x-axis)
is labeled using CLASS
BOUNDARIES or
MIDPOINTS
Vertical Scale (y-axis) is
labeled using frequency
NOTE: bars are
contiguous (No gaps)

How do I create a histogram

from a grouped frequency
distribution?

MINITAB

Enter raw data into MINITAB

Example-Construct a histogram of the ages of

Nextel Cup Drivers. Use the class boundaries as the
scale on the x-axis
Ages of NASCAR Nextel Cup Drivers in Years
(NASCAR.com) (Data is ranked---Collected Spring
2008)
21

21

21

23

23

23

24

25

25

26

26

26

26

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27

28

28

28

28

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51

65

72

Frequency Polygon
Line graph (rather
than a bar graph)
Uses class
midpoints rather
than class
boundaries on xaxis

Ogive (Cumulative Frequency

Polygon)
Line graph (rather
than a bar graph)
Uses class boundaries
on x-axis
Uses cumulative
frequencies (total as
you go) rather than
individual class
frequencies
Used to visually
represent how many
values are below a
specified upper class
boundary

Another possibility
We can use the
percentage (relative
frequency) rather
than the tallies
(frequency) on the
x-axis.
Relative Frequency
Histogram
Relative Frequency
Polygon
Relative Frequency
Ogive

Used when a
comparison between
two data sets is
desired, especially if
the data sets are
two different sizes
Overall shape
(distribution) of
graph is the same,
but we use a % on
the y-axis scale

Stem and Leaf Plot*

Method for
organizing data
Combination of
sorting and
graphing
Original Data is
retained unlike
with a grouped
frequency
distribution

Leaves are
usually the last digit
in each data value;
right hand column
of two-column table
Stems are
remaining digits ;
left hand column of
two-column table

Dotplot*(not in text)
Graph in which each
data value is plotted
as a point (or dot)
along a single
horizontal scale of
values.
Dots representing
equal values are
stacked
Original data is
retained

Exam #1 Scores in Mrs.

Ralstons Math 1111 classes
in Fall 2008
39 40

41

43

50

59

59

61

63

64

65 66

66

68

70

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99 100

100

100

100

 Construct a frequency distribution for

the Exam #1 scores. Use 8 classes
with a class width of 10 beginning with
a lower class limit of 30.
Use the raw data to construct a
histogram of the Exam #1 scores in
MINITAB
Use the raw data to construct a dotplot
of the Exam #1 scores in MINITAB

Homework
Page 71 #2 and 3 (create a Pareto
Chart)
Page 74 #16 (create a Stem and Leaf
Plot)
Worksheet