What does a histogram in data representation show?

A histogram is a type of bar graph that specifically illustrates the frequency distribution of a dataset. This means it displays how often each range of values (or bins) occurs within the data. By organizing the data into intervals, a histogram provides a visual summary that allows for an immediate understanding of the distribution's shape, central tendency, and variability.

For example, in a classroom setting, if teachers collected scores from a test and created a histogram, they could easily see how students performed: the heights of the bars represent the number of students who achieved scores within certain ranges (e.g., 0-10, 11-20, etc.). Such visual representation is invaluable for identifying patterns such as skewness, modes, and overall distribution trends which are critical for further data analysis.

In contrast, options that mention the average value, relationships between two variables, or correlation coefficients refer to different statistical concepts that do not align with the primary function of a histogram. The average represents a central point rather than distribution; relationships between variables typically require scatter plots or line graphs; and correlation coefficients are numerical representations of how two variables may relate but do not visualize frequency distributions. Thus, the depiction of data frequency in a histogram is distinct and fundamental to understanding data distributions.