Histograms and Pie Charts
The histogram, also called a frequency distributions graph, is a specialized type of bar graph that resembles a column graph, but without any gaps between the columns. It is used to represent data from the measurement of a continuous variable. Individual data points are grouped together in classes to show the frequency of data in each class. Whereas a pie chart shows classes or groups of data in proportion to the whole data set. The entire pie represents all the data, while each slice or segment represents a different class or group within the whole. Each slice should show significant variations. The pie charts are less efficient than histogram when displaying data, because if too many pieces of data are used, pie chart becomes less effective; They themselves may become crowded and hard to read if there are too many pieces of data, and even if you add data labels and numbers may not help here; We need a series to compare multiple sets as this chart only represents one data set; To analyze and assimilate information quickly, this may make it more difficult for readers; As the reader has to factor in angles and compare non-adjacent slices, it has its problems in comparing the data slices; And finally, to make decisions based on visual impact rather than data analysis leads readers to draw inaccurate conclusions.
The following image, as a sample, depicts the two graphs:
| mpg | cyl | disp | hp | drat | wt | qsec | vs | am | gear | carb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX4 | 21.0 | 6 | 160.0 | 110 | 3.90 | 2.620 | 16.46 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Mazda RX4 Wag | 21.0 | 6 | 160.0 | 110 | 3.90 | 2.875 | 17.02 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Datsun 710 | 22.8 | 4 | 108.0 | 93 | 3.85 | 2.320 | 18.61 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Hornet 4 Drive | 21.4 | 6 | 258.0 | 110 | 3.08 | 3.215 | 19.44 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Hornet Sportabout | 18.7 | 8 | 360.0 | 175 | 3.15 | 3.440 | 17.02 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Valiant | 18.1 | 6 | 225.0 | 105 | 2.76 | 3.460 | 20.22 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Duster 360 | 14.3 | 8 | 360.0 | 245 | 3.21 | 3.570 | 15.84 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Merc 240D | 24.4 | 4 | 146.7 | 62 | 3.69 | 3.190 | 20.00 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Merc 230 | 22.8 | 4 | 140.8 | 95 | 3.92 | 3.150 | 22.90 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Merc 280 | 19.2 | 6 | 167.6 | 123 | 3.92 | 3.440 | 18.30 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Merc 280C | 17.8 | 6 | 167.6 | 123 | 3.92 | 3.440 | 18.90 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Merc 450SE | 16.4 | 8 | 275.8 | 180 | 3.07 | 4.070 | 17.40 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Merc 450SL | 17.3 | 8 | 275.8 | 180 | 3.07 | 3.730 | 17.60 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Merc 450SLC | 15.2 | 8 | 275.8 | 180 | 3.07 | 3.780 | 18.00 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Cadillac Fleetwood | 10.4 | 8 | 472.0 | 205 | 2.93 | 5.250 | 17.98 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
The pie chart using mtcars data to show “Percentage of Cars per Number of Carburetors” is as below:
The histogram using mtcars data to show “Gear” is as below:
