9.1

Data collection and display

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)  · Unit 9: Statistics  · 10 flashcards

Data collection and display is topic 9.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) syllabus , positioned in Unit 9 — Statistics , alongside Averages and measures of spread, Cumulative frequency and box plots and Correlation and scatter diagrams.  In one line: Data refers to facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations, experiments, or surveys. It is used for analysis and to draw conclusions.

This topic is examined across Paper 1 (Core) or Paper 2 (Extended) — non-calculator — and Paper 3 (Core) or Paper 4 (Extended) — calculator.

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 4 definitions, 3 key concepts and 2 application cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 4 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

'data' in the context of IGCSE Mathematics

Data refers to facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations, experiments, or surveys. It is used for analysis and to draw conclusions.

Example: The heights of students in a class are data.

Questions this Data collection and display deck will help you answer

Definition Flip

Define 'data' in the context of IGCSE Mathematics.

Answer Flip

Data refers to facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations, experiments, or surveys. It is used for analysis and to draw conclusions.

Example: The heights of students in a class are data.
Key Concept Flip

Describe how to collect data using a survey.

Answer Flip

A survey involves asking a group of people a set of questions to gather information. Design a clear questionnaire with relevant questions, select a representative sample, and analyze the responses to identify trends or patterns.

Example: A survey on favorite subjects in school.
Definition Flip

What is a frequency table, and how is it used?

Answer Flip

A frequency table organizes data by showing the number of times each value occurs. It lists each unique data value and its corresponding frequency.

Example: A table showing the number of students who scored each possible grade (A, B, C, etc.) on a test.
Key Concept Flip

Explain the difference between a bar chart and a histogram.

Answer Flip

A bar chart displays categorical data with bars of varying lengths; gaps exist between bars. A histogram displays continuous data with bars touching each other representing class intervals.

Example: Bar Chart: favorite colors, Histogram: heights of students.
Key Concept Flip

How do you calculate the angle for a sector in a pie chart?

Answer Flip

The angle for a sector is calculated by (frequency / total frequency) * 360°.

Example: If a category has a frequency of 20 and the total frequency is 100, the angle is (20/100) * 360° = 72°.
Definition Flip

Describe the purpose of a stem and leaf diagram.

Answer Flip

A stem and leaf diagram organizes numerical data to show its distribution while retaining the original values. The 'stem' represents the leading digits, and the 'leaves' represent the trailing digits.

Example: Scores of 72, 75, 81, 88 would have stems of 7 and 8 and leaves of 2, 5, 1, 8 respectively.
Key Concept Flip

Explain how to create a histogram for grouped data.

Answer Flip

For grouped data, the x-axis represents class intervals, and the y-axis represents frequency density (frequency/class width). Draw bars adjacent to each other, with the height of each bar proportional to the frequency density for its class interval.

Key Concept Flip

What information can be obtained from a scatter diagram?

Answer Flip

A scatter diagram shows the relationship between two variables. It can reveal positive, negative, or no correlation, indicating how one variable changes with respect to the other.

Example: The relationship between study hours and exam scores.
Key Concept Flip

Describe how a frequency polygon is created from a histogram.

Answer Flip

A frequency polygon is created by joining the midpoints of the top of each bar in a histogram with straight lines. The polygon is closed by joining the first and last midpoints to the x-axis at the midpoints of the adjacent class intervals.

Definition Flip

Explain the purpose of a line graph, and give an example of its application.

Answer Flip

A line graph displays data points connected by straight lines, showing trends over time or a continuous variable.

Example: Tracking the daily temperature or a company's stock price over a period of months.

Review the material

Read revision notes with definitions, equations, and exam tips.

Read Notes

Test yourself

Practice with MCQ questions to check your understanding.

Take Mathematics Quiz
8.3 Venn diagrams 9.2 Averages and measures of spread

Key Questions: Data collection and display

Define 'data' in the context of IGCSE Mathematics.

Data refers to facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations, experiments, or surveys. It is used for analysis and to draw conclusions.

Example: The heights of students in a class are data.
What is a frequency table, and how is it used?

A frequency table organizes data by showing the number of times each value occurs. It lists each unique data value and its corresponding frequency.

Example: A table showing the number of students who scored each possible grade (A, B, C, etc.) on a test.
Describe the purpose of a stem and leaf diagram.

A stem and leaf diagram organizes numerical data to show its distribution while retaining the original values. The 'stem' represents the leading digits, and the 'leaves' represent the trailing digits.

Example: Scores of 72, 75, 81, 88 would have stems of 7 and 8 and leaves of 2, 5, 1, 8 respectively.
Explain the purpose of a line graph, and give an example of its application.

A line graph displays data points connected by straight lines, showing trends over time or a continuous variable.

Example: Tracking the daily temperature or a company's stock price over a period of months.

More topics in Unit 9 — Statistics

Data collection and display sits alongside these Mathematics decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

9.2 Averages and measures of spread

10 flashcards
9.3 Cumulative frequency and box plots

10 flashcards
9.4 Correlation and scatter diagrams

9 flashcards
9.5 Histograms

9 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0580 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

data collect survey questionnaire tally frequency table grouped data class interval bar chart pie chart pictogram histogram frequency polygon stem and leaf scatter diagram line graph

Key terms covered in this Data collection and display deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

'data' in the context of IGCSE Mathematics
Frequency table, and how is it used
Describe the purpose of a stem and leaf diagram
Explain the purpose of a line graph, and give an example of its application

Related Mathematics guides

Long-read articles that go beyond the deck — cover the whole subject's common mistakes, high-yield content and revision pacing.

IGCSE Maths vs Additional Maths

Choosing between 0580 and 0606, and what each paper expects

Cambridge maths notation guide

Notation conventions Cambridge expects in your answers

How to study this Data collection and display deck

Start in Study Mode, attempt each card before flipping, then rate Hard, Okay or Easy. Cards you rate Hard come back within a day; cards you rate Easy push out to weeks. Your progress is saved in your browser, so come back daily for 5–10 minute reviews until every card reads Mastered.