What is the first step in constructing a histogram?

The first step in constructing a histogram is to collect and organise your data into a frequency table.

To begin with, you need to gather all the data you want to represent in your histogram. This data could come from a survey, an experiment, or any other source. Once you have your data, the next task is to organise it into a frequency table. A frequency table helps you to see how often each value or range of values occurs in your data set.

To create a frequency table, you first need to decide on the intervals or "bins" that will group your data. These intervals should be of equal width and should cover the entire range of your data. For example, if you are looking at the ages of students in a class, you might choose intervals like 10-12, 13-15, and so on.

Next, you count how many data points fall into each interval. This count is called the frequency. Write down these frequencies in your table next to their corresponding intervals. This table will serve as the foundation for your histogram.

By organising your data into a frequency table, you make it easier to visualise and understand the distribution of your data. This step is crucial because it sets the stage for creating an accurate and informative histogram.