Histograms: Uncertainty
Students construct histograms, identify the best value to represent the data, and report the uncertainty in their answers.
Scientists use histograms to analyze data. In particular, particle physicists rely on histograms to find new particles and to measure the characteristics of particles. Sometimes the probability of a particular interaction occurring is small. In such cases, particle physicists collect huge amounts of data in the hope of finding this interaction as a small bump in the histogram. This activity builds histogram skills required in many of the other activities in the Data Activities Portfolio.