What is the difference between box plots and histograms?

What is the difference between box plots and histograms?

Box plots and histograms are both used to visualize data, but they represent it differently. A box plot shows the median, quartiles, and potential outliers, while a histogram displays the frequency distribution of data points across intervals.

Can you explain how to interpret a box plot?

Sure! In a box plot, the box represents the interquartile range (IQR), with the line inside the box indicating the median. The 'whiskers' extend to the smallest and largest values within 1.5 times the IQR from the quartiles, and any points outside this range are considered outliers.

What about histograms? How do I read them?

Histograms display data in bins or intervals. The height of each bar represents the number of data points within that interval. By looking at the shape of the histogram, you can identify the distribution of the data, such as whether it's normal, skewed, or has multiple peaks.

When should I use a box plot instead of a histogram?

Use a box plot when you want to summarize data with key statistics and identify outliers. A histogram is better for showing the distribution of data and understanding its shape.