What effect do adjacent bars in a histogram have?

The bars in a histogram are designed to touch each other because this conveys that the data being represented is continuous. Unlike a bar chart, which is used for categorical data and has bars that are separate to signify distinct groups, a histogram represents frequency distributions of continuous data ranges or intervals. The absence of space between the bars indicates the continuous nature of the underlying data. This visual representation helps viewers immediately recognize the distribution, trends, and patterns within the dataset being analyzed.

Spacing the bars apart would suggest that the intervals are distinct and unrelated, which is not the case in a histogram where the goal is to show how often data points fall within specified ranges. Stacked bars or treating the bars merely for visual style would detract from conveying how values are distributed across the entire range of data. Overall, the proper construction of a histogram with touching bars is essential for accurately communicating the characteristics of the data represented.