Exploring Histograms Activities

Histogram ActivitiesSource: NCTM Illuminations http://illuminations.nctm.org/index_d.aspx?id=449

1. Clear any previous data.Enter the numbers 2,3, 4, 4, and 5 into the bar chart.

Note the summary statistics. What is the value of the mean? The median?

Describe the shape of the histogram. Which of the following is easily "seen" on the histogram: mean, median, or mode?

2. Now enter 77. What happened to the mean? To the median? To the mode?

How does the histogram change?

What happens to the shape of the bar chart if you change the width of the bars?

3. Clear any previous data. Enter the numbers 2, 3, 4, 4, and 5 using "Data Input."

Note the summary statistics. What is the value of the mean? The median?

Describe the shape of the histogram. What is the value of the mode?

4. Now repeatedly enter the number 5. What happened to the mean? To the median? To the mode?

How does the histogram change?

What happens to the shape of the histogram if you change the length of the intervals?