Frequency Polygon

Definition

A frequency polygon is a graphical representation of the distribution of a set of data. It is created by plotting the frequency or count of each data value on a graph, and then connecting the plotted points with straight line segments to form a polygon-like shape.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Frequency polygons are often used in conjunction with histograms to provide a more continuous representation of the data distribution.
2. The x-axis of a frequency polygon represents the data values, while the y-axis represents the frequency or count of those values.
3. Frequency polygons are particularly useful for visualizing the shape and central tendency of a dataset, as well as identifying any potential outliers or skewness.
4. Frequency polygons can be used to compare the distributions of two or more datasets by plotting them on the same graph.
5. The shape of a frequency polygon can provide insights into the underlying probability distribution of the data, such as whether it is normal, skewed, or bimodal.

Review Questions

• Explain how a frequency polygon is constructed and how it differs from a histogram.
  • A frequency polygon is constructed by plotting the frequency or count of each data value on a graph, and then connecting the plotted points with straight line segments to form a polygon-like shape. This differs from a histogram, where the data is grouped into bins and the height of each bar corresponds to the frequency or count of the data points within that bin. Frequency polygons provide a more continuous representation of the data distribution, while histograms offer a more discrete visualization.
• Describe the key features of a frequency polygon and how they can be used to analyze the characteristics of a dataset.
  • The key features of a frequency polygon include the shape of the polygon, the location of the peak(s), and the relative heights of the line segments. These features can be used to analyze the characteristics of a dataset, such as its central tendency, spread, skewness, and potential outliers. For example, the location of the peak(s) can indicate the mode(s) of the distribution, while the relative heights of the line segments can provide information about the frequency or prevalence of different data values.
• Explain how frequency polygons can be used to compare the distributions of two or more datasets, and discuss the insights that can be gained from such comparisons.
  • Frequency polygons can be used to compare the distributions of two or more datasets by plotting them on the same graph. This allows for a visual comparison of the shape, central tendency, and spread of the different distributions. By examining the relative positions and shapes of the frequency polygons, one can gain insights into the similarities and differences between the datasets. For example, if the frequency polygons have different peak locations, this could indicate that the datasets have different modes or central tendencies. If the polygons have different slopes or levels of skewness, this could suggest differences in the underlying probability distributions of the datasets.

Related terms

Histogram:

A graphical representation of the distribution of a dataset, where the data is grouped into bins and the height of each bar corresponds to the frequency or count of the data points within that bin.

Time Series Graph:

A graph that displays data points plotted against time, used to visualize how a variable changes over a period of time.

Frequency Distribution:

A tabular or graphical representation of the frequencies or counts of the different values in a dataset.