What is a frequency distribution?

A frequency distribution is essential for summarizing and analyzing data sets, as it provides a clear overview of how frequently each value appears within that set. This means it counts the number of times each unique value occurs, helping to identify patterns, such as the most common values, trends, and the overall distribution of the data. This is particularly useful in statistics for pivoting towards deeper analysis, as it effectively lays the groundwork for further techniques like histograms, mode determination, and understanding the distribution shape.

The other options, while relevant to different statistical concepts, do not accurately describe a frequency distribution. For instance, summarizing median values relates to a measure of central tendency rather than frequency. Similarly, providing the average of all values in a data set pertains specifically to the calculation of the mean, not frequency. Lastly, a graphical representation of central tendency does not encompass the concept of how often values occur; instead, it focuses on summarizing data points in relation to measures such as mean, median, and mode. Thus, the correct description of a frequency distribution emphasizes its role in detailing the occurrence of values, which is vital for further statistical interpretations.