Bar Chart vs Histogram: Table of Differences with Examples
The concept of Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram is essential in mathematics and helps in solving real-world and exam-level problems efficiently. Recognising the difference between these two types of graphs is important for understanding data representation in statistics and for scoring well in maths exams.
Understanding Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram
A Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram refers to distinguishing features between two common graphical representations of data. Bar charts are used for categorical data, while histograms are used for continuous or grouped data. This concept is widely used in data handling, graphical representation of data, and statistics. Understanding when and how to use each type helps avoid confusion and improve interpretation of graphical data in both academic and real-life situations.
Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram Table
Here’s a helpful table to understand the Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram more clearly:
Bar Chart vs Histogram Comparison Table
| Property | Bar Chart | Histogram |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Data | Categorical/Discrete | Continuous/Grouped |
| Bar Gaps | Gaps between bars | No gaps (bars touch) |
| Axis Labels | Categories | Interval ranges |
| Frequency Representation | Height/Length of bar | Area of bar (for varying width) |
| Order of Bars | Any order; not necessarily sequential | Sequential; follows numerical order |
| Use in Syllabus | Class 6, 7, 9, NCERT, Data Handling | Class 9, 11, Data Analysis |
| Key Application | Comparison of categories | Distribution of continuous variables |
This table shows the main aspects where bar charts and histograms differ, making it easy to pick the right tool for your maths problems or data analysis task.
Detailed Explanation of Bar Chart and Histogram
Bar Chart: A bar chart (also known as bar graph) is a pictorial representation of categorical data using rectangular bars that do not touch each other. The length or height of each bar represents the frequency or value of that category. Bar charts are perfect for showing comparisons between different groups or items (like favourite fruit, number of students per grade, etc.).
Histogram: A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data. It displays continuous data grouped into intervals or 'bins'. Bars are adjacent (touch each other) and their height shows the frequency of values within each interval. Histograms reveal the shape and spread of data, such as test scores or weight of students.
Worked Example – Solving a Problem
Example 1: Bar Chart
A survey at a school asked students about their favourite sport. The result is below:
Football: 10 students
Cricket: 7 students
Basketball: 5 students
Badminton: 8 students
To display this in a bar chart:
1. Draw the X-axis (categories as Football, Cricket, Basketball, Badminton).
2. Draw the Y-axis showing numbers (frequency).
3. For each sport, draw a bar up to the respective number. Leave gaps between bars.
Example 2: Histogram
Weights (in kg) of students: 31, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 45, 48, 50
Grouped into intervals: 30–35, 35–40, 40–45, 45–50
Count in each interval:
30–35: 2
35–40: 3
40–45: 2
45–50: 2
Steps to draw histogram:
1. Draw X-axis with intervals (bins): 30–35, 35–40, etc.
2. Draw Y-axis with frequency.
3. For each interval, draw a touching bar up to its frequency. No gaps between bars.
Quick Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use a histogram for discrete or categorical data—use a bar chart instead.
- Remember: Bars touch in histograms (continuous data), and have gaps in bar charts (categorical data).
- Check axis labels: If you see number intervals on X-axis, it’s likely a histogram.
- Order matters in histograms but not in bar charts.
- Don’t confuse frequency polygons or line graphs with histograms or bar charts.
Bar Chart vs Histogram in Python
You can plot both graphs using matplotlib in Python. Here’s a sample code snippet:
Bar Chart:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
categories = ['Football', 'Cricket', 'Basketball', 'Badminton']
values = [10, 7, 5, 8]
plt.bar(categories, values)
plt.xlabel('Sports')
plt.ylabel('Number of Students')
plt.title('Favourite Sports')
plt.show()
Histogram:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
weights = [31, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 45, 48, 50]
plt.hist(weights, bins=[30,35,40,45,50])
plt.xlabel('Weight (kg)')
plt.ylabel('Frequency')
plt.title('Student Weight Distribution')
plt.show()
This shows how to implement bar charts and histograms for data visualisation in Python for your projects or statistics homework.
Real-World Applications
The concept of Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram appears in many areas—such as analysing survey results, classifying exam marks, studying income distribution, or tracking the frequency of rainfall in weather reports. Knowing which graph to use is vital in science fairs, research, and data-driven presentations. Vedantu helps students see how maths skills matter both in exams and daily life.
Page Summary
We explored the idea of the Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram, when and how to use each, their graphical layouts, and their practical importance. Use practice questions, create your own graphs, and review these key differences before your next exam with Vedantu for best results.
Related Topics for Further Study
- Bar-Graphs and Histogram - Side-by-side comparison and more illustrations
- Histogram - Full guide for class 9 and 11 students
- Graphical Representation of Data - All types of graphs and their uses
- Bar Graph Scale - Understanding axes and units in bar graphs
- Frequency Polygons - Connected topics for class 11 and 12
- Data Handling - Foundational topics in statistics
- Graphs and Graphical Representation - Complete overview
- Introduction to Data - The basics before learning graphing
- Standard Normal Distribution - Histograms and continuous probability
- Mean - Calculating averages from histograms and graphs
FAQs on Difference Between Bar Chart and Histogram Explained
1. What is the difference between a bar chart and a histogram?
A bar chart represents categorical (discrete) data with spaces between the bars to emphasize distinct categories. In contrast, a histogram displays continuous data grouped into intervals (or bins), and its bars touch each other to indicate data continuity and distribution frequency.
2. Give examples to show the difference between bar graph and histogram.
For example, a bar graph may show the number of students in different class sections (categories), with gaps between bars. A histogram could display the frequency of students falling into different height ranges (continuous data intervals), with bars touching each other to represent grouped frequencies.
3. Why do bars touch in a histogram but have gaps in a bar chart?
Bars in a histogram touch because they represent continuous data intervals where each class or bin is adjacent, showing no gaps in data ranges. Bars in a bar chart have gaps to indicate that data categories are separate and discrete, with no inherent order or continuity between them.
4. When should I use a bar chart or a histogram in data analysis?
Use a bar chart when visualizing categorical data such as types of fruits, brands, or survey responses. Use a histogram to display continuous data distributions like ages, weights, or test scores grouped into intervals.
5. How do you draw a histogram and bar graph in Python?
In Python, use matplotlib library:
- For a bar chart, use plt.bar() with categorical x-axis values and explicit gaps.
- For a histogram, use plt.hist(), which automatically groups data into consecutive bins and displays touching bars representing frequency.
6. What is the difference for NCERT, class 9, and class 11 questions?
In NCERT Class 9, questions focus on identifying the difference between bar charts and histograms with simple examples. By Class 11, students explore deeper grouped frequency distributions, interpretations, and comparison-based problems involving histograms and bar graphs, aligned with statistics syllabus advancement.
7. Why do students confuse bar charts with histograms in board exams?
Students often confuse these graphs due to their similar rectangular shapes. The key difference lies in whether the data is categorical or continuous, and whether bars touch (histogram) or have gaps (bar chart). Understanding these concepts with examples reduces this confusion.
8. Can a single data set be shown as both a bar chart and a histogram?
A single data set can be represented as either a bar chart or histogram depending on how data is grouped. If data is categorical or discrete, a bar chart is suitable. If the same data is grouped into continuous intervals, a histogram can be used to depict frequency distribution.
9. Why is grouping of data important for histograms but not for bar charts?
Histogram requires grouping continuous data into intervals to show frequency distributions across ranges, which is crucial for understanding data spread. Bar charts represent individual categories without grouping, showing frequencies for distinct, separate values.
10. How does the visual gap or continuity affect interpretation in exams?
Visual gaps in bar charts highlight that data points are independent categories, whereas continuous bars in histograms indicate data ranges and frequency concentrations. Recognizing these visual cues aids students in selecting the correct graph type and answering interpretation questions accurately.
11. Why does the NCERT exam sometimes use real-life data for histogram questions?
NCERT incorporates real-life data in histogram questions to help students relate theoretical concepts to practical scenarios, enhancing understanding of frequency distributions in daily contexts such as height measurements or temperature ranges.
