A bar graph and a histogram are both graphical representations of data, but they serve different purposes and display different types of data.
A bar graph is used to compare different categories or groups. Each category is represented by a separate bar, and the height of the bar indicates the value or size of that category. For example, you might use a bar graph to show the number of sales for different products.
On the other hand, a histogram is used to represent the distribution of numerical data. It displays the frequency of data points within specified ranges, or bins. The bars in a histogram touch each other, indicating that the data is continuous. For instance, if you were to measure the heights of a group of people, a histogram would show how many individuals fall within different height ranges.
In summary, the main differences are:
- Type of data: Bar graphs are for categorical data, while histograms are for continuous numerical data.
- Bar arrangement: Bars in a bar graph are separate, whereas bars in a histogram are connected.