Histogram

2003 Minitab Inc. i

Table Of Contents
Histogram............................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Histograms ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Data - Histogram.............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Histogram - Simple, With Fit............................................................................................................................................. 2
To display a simple histogram.......................................................................................................................................... 2
Example of a simple histogram........................................................................................................................................ 2
To display a histogram with fit .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Example of a histogram with fit ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Histogram - With Outline and Groups, With Fit and Groups ............................................................................................ 4
To display a histogram with outline and groups ............................................................................................................... 4
Example of a histogram with outline and groups.............................................................................................................. 5
To display a histogram with fit and groups ....................................................................................................................... 5
Example of a histogram with fit and groups ..................................................................................................................... 6

2003 Minitab Inc. 1
Histogram
Histograms
Graph > Histogram
Use to examine the shape and spread of sample data. Histograms divide sample values into many intervals called bins.
Bars represent the number of observations falling within each bin (its frequency). In the histogram below, for example,
there are two observations with values between 2.5 and 7.5, three observations with values between 7.5 and 12.5, and so
on.

Observations that fall exactly on an interval boundary are included in the interval to the right (or left, if the last bin).
Note If you wish to plot bars representing summary statistics for different groups, use Graph > Bar Chart.
After you create a histogram, you can customize the number and location of the bins using Select scale >
Editor > Edit > Binning.
Dialog box items
Simple With Fit


With Outline
And Groups
With Fit And
Groups

<OK>

Data - Histogram
You need one or more columns of numeric or date/time data. You may also use up to three columns of categorical data
for grouping.
More For other data options, such as subsetting, using frequency columns, and handling missing values, see Data
Options Overview. To change the display order for text categories, see Ordering text categories.

Histogram
2 2003 Minitab Inc.
Histogram - Simple, With Fit
Graph > Histogram > choose Simple or With Fit > OK
Use to display a simple histogram or histogram with fitted probability density function (pdf).
Dialog box items
Graph variables: Enter one or more columns of data. Minitab displays a separate graph for each column. (To panel all
graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
<Scale>
<Labels>
<Data View>
<Multiple Graphs>
<Data Options>

To display a simple histogram
1 Choose Graph > Histogram.
2 Choose Simple, then click OK.
3 In Graph variables, enter one or more columns of data. Minitab displays a separate graph for each column. (To panel
all graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
4 If you like, use any dialog box options, then click OK.

Example of a simple histogram
You work for a shampoo manufacturer and need to ensure that the caps on your bottles are being fastened properly. If
fastened too loosely, they may fall off during shipping. If fastened too tightly, they may be hard for your customers to open
(especially in the shower).
You collect a random sample of bottles and test the amount of torque required to remove the caps. Create a histogram to
evaluate the data and determine how close the samples are to the target value of 18.
1 Open the worksheet CAP.MTW.
2 Choose Graph > Histogram.
3 Choose Simple, then click OK.
4 In Graph variables, enter Torque.
5 Click Scale.
6 Under Y Scale Low and X Scale Low, check Minor ticks.
7 Click OK in each dialog box.
Histogram
2003 Minitab Inc. 3
Graph window output

Interpreting the results
Most caps were fastened with a torque of 13 to 25. Only one cap was very loose, with a torque of less than 11. However,
the distribution is positively skewed; several caps were much tighter than they should have been. Many caps required a
torque of greater than 24 to remove and five caps required a torque of greater than 33, nearly two times the target value.

To display a histogram with fit
1 Choose Graph > Histogram.
2 Choose With Fit, then click OK.
3 In Graph variables, enter one or more columns of data. Minitab displays a separate graph for each column. (To panel
all graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
4 If you like, use any dialog box options, then click OK.

Example of a histogram with fit
You work for a shampoo manufacturer and need to ensure that the caps on your bottles are being fastened properly. If
fastened too loosely, they may fall off during shipping. If fastened too tightly, they may be hard for you customers to open
(especially in the shower).
You collect a random sample of bottles and test the amount of torque required to remove the caps. Create a histogram
with a fitted normal distribution to evaluate how close your samples were to the target value of 18 and whether the data
are distributed normally.
1 Open the worksheet CAP.MTW.
2 Choose Graph > Histogram.
3 Choose With Fit, then click OK.
4 In Graph variables, enter Torque.
5 Click Scale, then click the Reference Lines tab.
6 In Show reference lines for X positions, type18.
7 Click OK in each dialog box.
Histogram
4 2003 Minitab Inc.
Graph window output

Interpreting the results
Mean torque for the sample was 21.26, slightly more than the target value of 18. Only one cap was very loose, with a
torque of less than 11. However, the distribution is positively skewed and several caps were much tighter than they should
be. Many caps required a torque of greater than 24 to remove and five caps required a torque of greater than 33, nearly
two times the target value.
Because the sample data are so skewed, the normal distribution does not fit very well.

Histogram - With Outline and Groups, With Fit and Groups
Graph > Histogram > choose With Outline and Groups or With Fit and Groups > OK
Use to display the outlines of multiple histograms, or multiple fitted curves (probability density functions, pdf's) on the
same graph.
Dialog box items
Graph variables: Enter one or more columns of data to plot. By default, Minitab plots each column on the same graph.
Categorical variables for grouping (0-3): If graph variable columns contain multiple groups, enter up to three columns
of categorical grouping variables. (To panel by one or more variables, use By Variables.)
Graph variables form groups: Check to display histograms for all graph variables on the same graph. (To panel multiple
graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
<Scale>
<Labels>
<Data View>
<Multiple Graphs>
<Data Options>

To display a histogram with outline and groups
1 Choose Graph > Histogram.
2 Choose With Outline And Groups, then click OK.
3 In Graph variables, enter one or more columns of data to plot. By default, Minitab plots each column on the same
graph.
4 Do one or both of the following:
If graph variable columns contain multiple groups, enter up to three columns of categorical grouping variables in
Categorical variables for grouping (0-3). (To panel by one or more variables, use By Variables.)
Histogram
2003 Minitab Inc. 5
Check Graph variables form groups to display histograms for all graph variables on the same graph. (To panel
multiple graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
5 If you like, use any dialog box options, then click OK.

Example of a histogram with outline and groups
You work in an auto factory and are having trouble with variability in the length of the camshafts you use. You want to see
if the shafts provided by your two suppliers are comparable, so you measure length for a random sample of 100 shafts
from each. Create a histogram to compare the camshaft lengths from the two suppliers.
1 Open the worksheet CAMSHAFT.MTW.
2 Choose Graph > Histogram.
3 Choose With Outline And Groups, then click OK.
4 In Graph variables, enter Supp1 Supp2. Click OK.
Graph window output

Interpreting the results
The mean lengths of the camshafts from the two suppliers appear similar. However, there is a great deal more variability
in the length of shafts provided by Supplier 2. It appears that Supplier 2 is to blame for your problems with inconsistent
camshaft lengths.

To display a histogram with fit and groups
1 Choose Graph > Histogram.
2 Choose With Fit And Groups, then click OK.
3 In Graph variables, enter one or more columns of data to plot. By default, Minitab plots each column on the same
graph.
4 Do one or both of the following:
If graph variable columns contain multiple groups, enter up to three columns of categorical grouping variables in
Categorical variables for grouping (0-3). (To panel by one or more variables, use By Variables.)
Check Graph variables form groups to display histograms for all graph variables on the same graph. (To panel
multiple graphs on the same page, use Multiple Variables.)
5 If you like, use any dialog box options, then click OK.

Histogram
6 2003 Minitab Inc.
Example of a histogram with fit and groups
You work in an auto factory and are having trouble with variability in the length of the camshafts you use. You want to see
if the shafts provided by your two suppliers are comparable, so you measure length for a random sample of 100 shafts
from each. Create a graph with overlaid fitted normal distributions of the data to compare the samples from the two
suppliers.
1 Open the worksheet CAMSHAFT.MTW.
2 Choose Graph > Histogram.
3 Choose With Fit And Groups, then click OK.
4 In Graph variables, enter Supp1 Supp2. Click OK.
Graph window output

Interpreting the results
Supplier 1's camshafts appear to be shorter than Supplier 2's. This is indicated by the tabled means (599.5 and 600.2,
respectively), as well as the relative position of the peaks for the fitted normal distributions.
The standard deviation for Supplier 2's sample (1.874) is much greater than that of Supplier 1 (0.6193). This translates
into a shorter and wider-looking fitted distribution for Supplier 2. The large amount of variability in Supplier 2's product may
be the primary cause of your problems with inconsistent camshaft lengths.