The difference between a bar graph and a histogram is the type of data they are used to represent. A bar graph is used to compare different categories of data, while a histogram is used to show the distribution of numerical data.
In a bar graph, each category is represented by a distinct bar with its height or length indicating the value associated with that category. On the other hand, in a histogram, bars are placed adjacent to each other and their heights indicate how frequently certain values occur within that range.
The main difference between a histogram and a bar graph is that a histogram is used to indicate a continuous variable while a bar graph is used to indicate a discrete variable. For example, if you wanted to compare the heights of people in your class, you would use a histogram because the height of each person is likely to be different from the next. However, if you wanted to compare the genders in your class, you would use a bar graph since gender is usually considered a discrete variable.
Bar Graph vs. Histogram
| Bar Graph | Histogram |
|---|---|
| Bar graph is graphical representation used to compare different categories of data, such as data showing restaurant most liked and least liked food in the menu. | Histograms is graphical representation of data by displaying the frequency distribution. So, it shows how often specific numbers or ranges of numbers appear in a given set of data. |
| There is spacing between the blocks of the bar graph. | There is no spacing between the bars in histogram. |
| It is used for comparison of discrete variables. | It is used for distribution of non-discrete variables |
| Bar charts have bar that are equal in width. | Histograms can have unequal bar widths. |
| It represents categorical data. | It represents quantitative data. |
| All elements are considered individual entities. | Elements are grouped together, so that they are considered as ranges. |
| Bars can be reordered. | Bars cannot be reordered. |
| A survey showing favorite photo editing software of people can be visualized through bar graph. | Mathematics subject marks in an exam in various ranges can be visualized using a histogram. |
What is Bar Graph and How is it Used?
Bar charts are a popular and commonly used form of data visualization. They are used to represent and compare data in an easy-to-understand visual format. Bar charts can be used to illustrate trends, compare multiple data points, or display distributions. They are also useful for showing relationships between different categories of data.
Bar charts are often used in business and economic reports as well as for scientific research purposes. The bars on a bar chart can be arranged either vertically or horizontally depending on the type of data being depicted. Additionally, each bar can be color-coded to further differentiate between categories of data.
Bar charts are used to compare quantities within categories, such as population size in different countries, or to compare several sets of data across different groups or time periods. They can also be used to illustrate relationships between different variables, such as a comparison between students’ test scores on math and science tests.
Bar charts can be useful for seeing how data changes over time or how one factor influences another. They can also give you an overall picture of the distribution and patterns in your data set.
What is Histogram and How is it Used?
A histogram is a type of bar chart that is used to represent the frequency distribution of continuous data. In other words, it is a graphical representation of numerical data that is grouped into a range of values. This range of values is known as a ‘bin’.
A histogram chart shows the relationship between the frequency and the numerical value in a graphical form. It can help us to quickly identify patterns in continuous data sets, such as average or maximum values.
Histograms are an effective way to visualize large amounts of data and provide insight into trends and correlations that would otherwise be difficult to discern.
A histogram is a type of graph used to represent numerical data. It is used to show the frequency distribution of continuous data, which is grouped into bins or intervals.
Data in a histogram is usually plotted on the x-axis against its frequency on the y-axis. The bars in a bar graph are used to compare different quantitative data. Data is grouped together and presented as ranges in either individual bars or columns form.
Histograms are often seen in educational settings and business reports as they provide an easy way to visualize large amounts of numeric data at once with minimal effort on the part of readers.
Key Differences Between Histogram and Bar graph
A graph is a visual representation of data, and there are two main types: histogram and bar graph. The key differences between a histogram and a bar graph are the type of data they display. A bar graph displays discrete numerical data with bars in a bar graph, while a histogram refers to a graphical representation showing the distribution of continuous numerical data with bars in a histogram.
The bars in a bar graph are usually separated by an interval, such as one unit or one hour. A histogram is also composed of bars, but these bars represent ranges of values rather than individual units. In addition to this, each bar in the histogram represents how many observations fall within that range of values. This means that a histogram can show the frequency distribution of the data more accurately than a bar graph.
Here is the complete list of difference between the two:
Bar Graphs vs. Histograms Similarities
- Histograms and bar graphs are both types of graphs used to represent data visually.
- Both histograms and bar graphs consist of rectangular bars that illustrate the frequency, quantity or amount of variables being studied.
- Histograms and bar charts can be used together for comparison as each type provides complementary information about the same dataset.
- They are also both effectively used when summarizing large amounts of data into visual representations that are easier to interpret than raw numbers.
