Handling Data: Median, Frequency Tables and Histograms

Overview

Recall questions on Median, Mode, Frequency Tables, Bar Charts and Histograms.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Find the mean, median and mode of the values 12, 14, 14, 15 and 20.

   Model answer

   The mean is 15, the median is 14 and the mode is 14.

2. 2

   When is the median a more useful summary than the mean?

   Model answer

   When the data are skewed or contain an extreme value, because the median is not pulled towards that value in the way the mean is.

3. 3

   For what kind of biological data is the mode the most useful measure?

   Model answer

   For discontinuous or categorical data such as blood group or number of petals, where the most frequently occurring category is what matters.

4. 4

   What does it mean if a distribution of measurements is bimodal?

   Model answer

   There are two separate peaks in the frequency distribution, which usually suggests two distinct groups within the sample.

5. 5

   What three rules apply when a frequency table of continuous data is constructed?

   Model answer

   The classes must be of equal width, they must not overlap, and every individual must fall into exactly one class.

6. 6

   Distinguish between a bar chart and a histogram.

   Model answer

   A bar chart displays discrete or categorical data as separated bars of equal width, whereas a histogram displays continuous data grouped into classes with the bars touching.

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