Maths, which one isn't true?

lynchy6789

lynchy6789

lynchy6789

Associate
Joined
6 Feb 2008
Posts
1,246
Been stuck on this for a while and really cant think which one(s) it could be the question is as below

The following five statements have been made in relation to the organising of data and the presenting of information. Select ALL the ones which are not correct.
Answer

1. A bar chart and a histogram are alternative names for the same type of chart.
2. When constructing a frequency polygon from a grouped frequency distribution, the frequency measure should be plotted at the mid-point of the class interval.
3. A pie chart is a suitable way of illustrating the breakdown by department of the total annual revenue from a store for the last year.
4. In a histogram the height of the bar is proportional to the frequency of occurrence.
5. When data are organised into a table, row and column totals and sub-totals should never be added.
 
I don't recognise this as being maths :confused: Key Stage 3 maybe?

Anyway, 1 is incorrect. 2: I have no idea... 3 = sure, why not. 4 is correct. 5 - statement is false (sub-totals can be very useful data representation tools).

It's sad state of affairs when subjective data-presentation issues are being branded as "maths" :p
 
Duff-Man said:
I don't recognise this as being maths :confused: Key Stage 3 maybe?

Anyway, 1 is incorrect. 2: I have no idea... 3 = sure, why not. 4 is correct. 5 - statement is false (sub-totals can be very useful data representation tools).

It's sad state of affairs when subjective data-presentation issues are being branded as "maths" :p
Click to expand...

4 is incorrect. The area of a bar determines the frequency not its height (I always used to like making mine long and low for some sad reason).

Unless histograms have changed in the past 11 years.

Edit: I'm not entirely sure now, 11 years is a long time...
 
Last edited:
Well, I haven't had cause to draw up a histogram since I finished my GCSEs 12 years ago or so, BUT if I recall correctly, a histogram is just a discrete representation of a probability-density function? If so, the hight of each bar would be proportional to the frequency of occurance within that interval, and the area would represent the probability of an event occurring in that that interval. The total area of the graph should be equal to one.

I could well be wrong though, and am too lazy to google and find out for sure :p
 
1 2 4 and 5 are wrong

1 is obvious wrong.
2 should be at the end of the class not middle
4 height is frequency density
5 i dont need to explain that.
 
there is this one aswell

Four students each identified a property that they thought was lost when data are organised into a grouped frequency distribution. The four responses are listed below:
i) the individual data values
ii) the overall shape of the distribution
iii) the ability to illustrate the data
iv) the accuracy of the information derived
Which one of the following four combinations contains only those reponses which are correct?
A. i) and ii)
B. iv) only
C i), iii) and iv)
D. i) and iv)

my answer was D.
 
1, 4 and 5 are definitely wrong. Not sure about 2, as I don't know much about frequency polygons, funnily enough. I'd have guessed the middle was the place to plot, but I see there is dissent in the ranks...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom