๐ŸŽฒintro to statistics review

Frequency polygons

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

Frequency polygons are graphical representations of the distribution of a dataset. They use lines to connect the midpoints of each class interval at their respective frequencies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Frequency polygons can be used to compare multiple distributions on the same graph.
  2. The x-axis represents the class midpoints, while the y-axis represents the frequencies.
  3. They provide a clearer view of the distribution shape compared to histograms, especially when comparing datasets.
  4. To create a frequency polygon, start by plotting points for each class midpoint and its corresponding frequency, then connect these points with straight lines.
  5. Frequency polygons are often used alongside histograms for better comparative analysis.

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