Representation of Data

Select a suitable way of presenting raw statistical data, and discuss advantages and/or
disadvantages that particular representations may have
1.1 Introduction
Data: pieces of numerical and other information
Variable: to observe or to measure some property for the collection of data (Sample)
2 types of variable: a) Qualitative: non-numerical
b) Quantitative: numerical
2 types of quantitative variable
a) Continuous: variable which can take any value in a given range (etc.150-160,160-170)
b) Discrete: variable which has clear steps between its possible values (etc.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.)

Construct and interpret stem-and-leaf diagrams, box-and-whisker plots, histograms and

cumulative frequency graphs
1.2 Stem-and-leaf diagrams
Datafile on cereals on a scale of 0-100

This is known as raw data.

Raw data: not categorized, not arranged, scattered, not organized
To organize the date, you can use stem-and-leaf diagram.
Steam=tens digits

Leaf=unit digits

The stem-and-leaf diagram for the ratings data is shown below. The key shows that the stem and
leaves mean.

not ordered stem-and-leaf diagram

Brackets: frequency of leaves in each stem

Ordered stem-and-leaf diagram

Ordered stem-and-leaf diagram

1.3

Histograms

Classes: group of data

Grouped frequency distribution: frequency of each classes
Class boundaries: real endpoints of classes

Example 1: Based on the table above, give the class boundaries for the first and second class
117.5 < 126.5
Example 2: A group of 40 motorists was asked to state the ages at which they passes their
driving test
Age, a (years)
Frequency

176

2011

17 a <20
Histogram

Bars have no spaces in between

Area of each bar is proportionate to the frequency

237

Reason:
Area of barinterval 20h<30 is not proportionate to the frequency.
Heights in interval 20h<30 plotted wrongly.
Height=2.5 is correct.
.

Area of five blocks is 15,25,55,30 and 25. Ratio area of 3,5,11, 6 and 5 are the same as
frequency

Formula:

(Heights are known as frequency densities)

Example:

1.3 Cumulative frequency graphs ( Alternative to represent continuous data )

Plotted under upper class boundaries

 Cumulative frequency graphs

have been joined with smooth curve.
If joined with straight lines, we
assume that observations in each class are evenly
spread among the range of values in that class.
Extra info about data would
suggest a curve was appropriate.

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