AQA GSCE: Section D - Statistics

Pictogram

A visual method of representing data using symbols or images, with each symbol standing for a specific number of items.

Key Characteristics of Pictograms

Includes symbols representing quantities, a legend or key, possible part-symbols, represents discrete data, and requires neat presentation.

Bar Chart

A diagram that uses rectangular bars to represent data, where the height or length of each bar corresponds to the frequency of the category it represents.

Key Characteristics of Bar Charts

Each bar represents a category, bar height equals frequency, bars are of equal width, and bars do not touch each other.

Pie Chart

A circular chart divided into sectors, where each sector represents a proportion of a whole, typically shown as percentages or fractions.

Key Characteristics of Pie Charts

The circle represents the total data set; sectors' angles are calculated based on category frequency; not suitable for large number of categories.

Line Graph

A type of chart that displays information over time, using points plotted along axes and connected by straight lines to show trends.

Key Characteristics of Line Graphs

The horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis measures the quantity, and trends can be identified through the connected data points.

Frequency Polygon

A line graph used to display the distribution of grouped continuous data by plotting midpoints of class intervals and connecting them.

Key Characteristics of Frequency Polygons

Requires grouped data, plots midpoints on the x-axis and frequency on the y-axis, and connects points with straight lines.

Time Series

A set of data points recorded at successive points in time, often used to identify trends, patterns, or seasonal effects.

Key Characteristics of Time Series

The horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis shows the measured variable, and data points are plotted and connected to show progression.

Stem-and-Leaf Diagram

A way of organizing numerical data to show its distribution while retaining original data values, splitting numbers into stems and leaves.

Key Aspects of Stem-and-Leaf Diagrams

Maintains original data values, lists data in ascending order, and requires a key to explain the format.

Scatter Diagram

A graph used to explore the relationship between two quantitative variables by plotting pairs of values on a Cartesian coordinate system.

Key Characteristics of Scatter Diagrams

The horizontal axis represents the independent variable, the vertical axis the dependent variable, and points show the correlation between the two.