What does a frequency distribution illustrate?

A frequency distribution is a statistical tool that presents how often each value or range of values appears in a data set. This means that it summarizes the data by organizing it into categories (or bins) and counting the number of occurrences for each category. This count is often displayed in a table or graph, making it easier to visualize the distribution of data points across different values.

Understanding frequency distributions is essential for analyzing data, as they help identify patterns, detect outliers, and understand the overall shape of the data. By illustrating how frequently each value occurs, researchers can glean insights about the distribution's characteristics, such as whether it is skewed, normal, or has multiple modes.

In contrast, the average value of a data set provides a measure of central tendency but does not show how values are distributed. The highest and lowest values give a limited view of the range of data points without detailing the frequency of other values. Lastly, the relationship between two variables falls under the scope of correlation or regression analyses, which is distinct from what a frequency distribution conveys.