AP Statistics Flashcards: Representing a Quantitative Variable with Graphs
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 19 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is a discrete variable?
A discrete variable is a type of quantitative variable that can take on a countable number of values.
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What is a discrete variable?
A discrete variable is a type of quantitative variable that can take on a countable number of values.
What is a histogram?
A histogram is a graphical representation where the height of each bar shows the number or proportion of observations falling within a specific interval.
What is a dotplot?
A dotplot is a graph that represents each observation as a dot positioned above its value on a horizontal axis.
What is a cumulative graph?
A cumulative graph is a graphical representation that shows the total number or proportion of data points that are less than or equal to a given value.
Which graph type would you use if you want to see every individual data value split into two parts?
A stem and leaf plot is used for this purpose, as it splits each value into a 'stem' and a 'leaf'.
How does a dotplot display individual data points?
A dotplot displays each observation with a single dot, stacking them vertically when values are repeated.
If you want to create a simple graph that shows a dot for every single observation in a small dataset, what is a good choice?
A dotplot is a good choice, as it represents each individual observation with a dot on a horizontal axis.
In a histogram, what does the height of a bar represent?
A histogram's bar height indicates the frequency (number) or relative frequency (proportion) of data points within that bar's interval.
Are the common graph types (histogram, dotplot, etc.) the only ways to represent quantitative data?
No, many other graphical representations exist for displaying the distributions of quantitative data.
Name three common types of graphs used to represent quantitative data.
Three common graphical representations for quantitative data are histograms, stem and leaf plots, and dotplots.
If you count the number of cars passing an intersection each hour, are you measuring a discrete or continuous variable?
This is a discrete variable because the number of cars is a countable value.
If you measure the exact weight of apples from a tree, are you measuring a discrete or continuous variable?
This is a continuous variable because weight can take on infinitely many values within an interval (e.g., 5.1 oz, 5.11 oz, 5.112 oz).
A graph displays data in intervals or 'bins', with bar heights showing the frequency of data in each bin. What type of graph is this?
This describes a histogram, where bar height shows the number or proportion of observations in an interval.
What are the two main classifications for quantitative variables?
Quantitative variables are classified as either discrete (countable values) or continuous (infinite values within an interval).
What are the two components that every data value is split into for a stem and leaf plot?
Each data value is split into a 'stem' and a 'leaf'.
What question does a cumulative graph help answer?
It helps answer how many or what proportion of observations fall at or below a certain value.
What is a continuous variable?
A continuous variable is a type of quantitative variable that can take on infinitely many values within a given interval.
What is the primary goal of representing quantitative data graphically?
The primary goal is to visually display the distribution of the data, making patterns and features easier to see.
What is a stem and leaf plot?
A stem and leaf plot is a graphical display that splits each individual data value into two parts: a 'stem' and a 'leaf'.