SAT Math: Histograms and Frequency Tables
31+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
A histogram groups data into "bins" or intervals on the x-axis, and displays frequency (how many data points) on the y-axis.
- 2
To find the median on a histogram, you must construct a cumulative count. E.g. if the total frequency is 50, you are looking for where the 25th and 26th values fall.
- 3
Identify the bin containing the median by adding the bar heights from left to right until you hit that target count.
- 4
Frequency tables work the exact same way but in tabular format.
- ✗ Averaging the x-axis values without weighting them by their y-axis frequencies.
- ✗ Mistaking the highest bar (the mode) for the median or mean.
SAT-style practice
A frequency table shows ages of students: Age 15 (freq 2), Age 16 (freq 5), Age 17 (freq 3), Age 18 (freq 1). What is the median age?
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