How do you interpret a histogram?

A histogram displays the frequency distribution of a dataset, showing how often each range of values occurs.

To interpret a histogram, start by looking at the horizontal axis, which represents the different ranges or intervals of the data. These intervals are called bins. The vertical axis shows the frequency, which is the number of data points that fall within each bin. The height of each bar corresponds to the frequency of data within that bin.

Next, observe the shape of the histogram. If the bars are roughly the same height, the data is uniformly distributed. If the bars form a peak in the middle and taper off towards the edges, the data is normally distributed, resembling a bell curve. If the bars are higher on one side and gradually decrease towards the other, the data is skewed. A right-skewed histogram has a longer tail on the right, while a left-skewed histogram has a longer tail on the left.

Also, look for any gaps or outliers. Gaps indicate ranges where no data points fall, while outliers are bars that stand apart from the rest, showing unusually high or low values.

Finally, consider the spread and central tendency of the data. The spread tells you how much the data varies, while the central tendency indicates where most data points are concentrated. This can help you understand the overall distribution and identify any patterns or trends in the dataset.