What type of chart is used to illustrate the relative frequency of occurrence?

A Pareto chart is specifically designed to illustrate the relative frequency of occurrence of different categories, allowing users to identify the most significant factors in a dataset. Named after the 80/20 rule, which suggests that approximately 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, Pareto charts help in prioritizing problems by showing which issues are most prevalent. This is crucial in quality improvement efforts, as it allows teams to focus their efforts on the areas that will yield the most significant improvement.

The chart typically combines bars and a line graph; the bars display individual categories in descending order of frequency, while the line represents the cumulative total percentage across the categories. This visual representation helps teams quickly see where to direct their resources and attention.

Though other charts also serve important purposes in data analysis, they do not focus on the relative frequency of occurrence in the same prioritized manner. For instance, histograms show distribution of continuous data, scatter plots assess relationships between two variables, and run charts display data points over time to identify trends. None of these specifically highlight the relative frequency of various categories as effectively as a Pareto chart does.