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Level 3-4 Data Handling - Frequency Diagrams
A pie chart is just one type of frequency diagram.

Level 3-4 Data Handling - Frequency Diagrams

Understand frequency diagrams in KS3 Maths. Learn when to use bar charts versus histograms, how to choose class intervals, and read frequencies to compare categories and distributions.

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Fascinating Fact:

Bar charts are used for separate categories, like favourite foods, while histograms show continuous data, like height or weight.

In KS3 Maths, frequency diagrams help you display and interpret data. Bar charts compare categories with separate bars. Histograms group continuous measurements into class intervals so you can see the overall distribution and spot patterns.

  • Bar chart: A diagram for categorical data; bars are separated with equal widths and heights showing frequency.
  • Histogram: A diagram for continuous data; bars touch because intervals follow on with no gaps.
  • Class interval: A group such as 10 ≤ score < 15 used to sort continuous data into ranges.
What is the difference between a bar chart and a histogram?

A bar chart shows separate categories, so bars have gaps. A histogram shows continuous data grouped into intervals, so bars touch to show the scale is continuous.

How do I choose class intervals for a histogram at KS3?

Find the data range, pick sensible equal widths that cover it, and use about 5–10 intervals. Write boundaries clearly, e.g. 140 ≤ height < 150 cm.

How do I read frequency from a bar chart or histogram?

On a bar chart, the height is the frequency. On a histogram with equal class widths, the height shows frequency for each interval; with unequal widths, use the area.

1 .
A frequency diagram shows the telephone lines in a number of call centres. ☎ represents a fixed number of lines. This sort of diagram is called a .......
bar chart
line graph
pictogram
pie chart
The clue is in the word - picto = picture
2 .
One ☎ represents 20 'phone lines. The pictogram shows 4 symbols for the Ayford call centre. How many lines are there at Ayford?
4
20
40
80
4 x 20 = 80
3 .
The Beeston centre has 70 'phone lines. How many symbols are needed to represent Beeston?
312
7
712
10
31?2 x 20 = 70
4 .
The midnight temperatures, in °C, are recorded daily for a week. Which diagram is best for displaying this data?
Bar chart
Line graph
Pictogram
Pie chart
5 .
Temperature is measured on the vertical axis. What goes on the horizontal axis?
Week
Month
Day
Year
The clue is in the word - daily
6 .
The recorded temperatures were: Mon 3°, Tue 2°, Wed 0°, Thu 1°, Fri 1°, Sat -1°, Sun -2°. What was the range of temperatures for the week?
The range is the difference between the highest and lowest values. When negative numbers are involved, it's best to look at the number line
7 .
A bar chart records the frequency and length of Tina's text messages (max length = 160 characters). The width of each bar, in characters, should be .......
10
20
50
100
This gives a sensible maximum of 8 bars
8 .
Tina sends T texts. Which of these describes the category 'more than 20 but no more than 40 characters'?
20 ≤ T ≤ 40
20 < T < 40
20 < T ≤ 40
20 ≤ T < 40
The symbol ? means 'less than or equal to'
9 .
On the vertical axis of the bar chart, 1 cm represents 5 texts. Tina sent 25 texts of 20 < T ≤ 40. How high is the bar for this category?
2 cm
4 cm
5 cm
10 cm
25 ÷ 5 = 5
10 .
Joining up the mid points of all the bars forms a frequency .......
graph
polygon
chart
table
Frequency polygons can be used to compare patterns in linked bar charts
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Representing data

Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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