Bar Graph vs. Histogram: What’s the Difference?

In the world of data visualization, bar graphs and histograms are two popular tools used to represent data visually. While they may look similar at first glance, they serve distinct purposes and represent different types of data. Understanding the key differences between these two graphical representations is crucial for effectively communicating insights from data.

Bar Graphs: Representing Categorical Data

Bar graphs are used to display categorical data, where each bar represents a distinct category. The height of each bar corresponds to the frequency or value associated with that category. For example, a bar graph could be used to represent the number of students in each grade level at a school. The categories would be the grade levels (e.g., Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc.), and the height of each bar would represent the number of students in each grade.

Here’s a simple example of a bar graph:

In this example, the bar graph represents the number of students who prefer different types of fruits. The categories are the fruit types (apple, banana, orange, strawberry), and the height of each bar represents the number of students who prefer that particular fruit.

Histograms: Representing Continuous Data

Histograms, on the other hand, are used to represent continuous data, which is data that can take on any value within a given range. Instead of distinct categories, histograms use intervals or bins to group data points. The height of each bar in a histogram represents the frequency or number of data points that fall within that particular interval.

For instance, a histogram could be used to represent the distribution of heights of students in a class. The intervals would be different height ranges (e.g., 5 feet to 5 feet 2 inches, 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 4 inches, etc.), and the height of each bar would represent the number of students whose height falls within that particular range.

Here’s a simple example of a histogram:

In this example, the histogram represents the distribution of ages of people in a particular city. The intervals are age ranges (e.g., 0-10 years, 10-20 years, 20-30 years, etc.), and the height of each bar represents the number of people whose age falls within that particular range.

Key Differences between Bar Graphs and Histograms

| Feature | Bar Graph | Histogram |
|—|—|—|
| Data Type | Categorical | Continuous |
| Categories | Distinct categories | Intervals or bins |
| Bar Height | Represents frequency or value of each category | Represents frequency of data points within each interval |
| Gaps between Bars | Yes | No |

When to Use Each Type of Graph

The choice between a bar graph and a histogram depends on the type of data you want to represent. If you have categorical data, a bar graph is the appropriate choice. If you have continuous data, a histogram is the appropriate choice.

Here are some examples of when to use each type of graph:

* **Bar Graph:** Representing the number of students in each grade level at a school, the number of cars sold by different dealerships, the number of votes received by different candidates in an election.
* **Histogram:** Representing the distribution of heights of students in a class, the distribution of salaries of employees in a company, the distribution of test scores in a class.

Conclusion

Bar graphs and histograms are powerful tools for data visualization. While they may look similar, understanding the key differences between them is crucial for effectively communicating insights from data. By choosing the appropriate type of graph for your data, you can create clear and informative visualizations that help your audience understand the data better.

Practice Questions

1. What type of graph would you use to represent the number of students who prefer different types of music? Why?

2. What type of graph would you use to represent the distribution of weights of apples in an orchard? Why?

3. What are the key differences between a bar graph and a histogram?