Final answer:
Histograms present data using boxes, which simplify the visualization of the data's distribution, while box plots showcase a summary of data with the median, quartiles, and outliers, facilitating an understanding of the data's variability and central tendency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Histograms are often considered easier to interpret than stem-and-leaf diagrams because they present data in a graphical format that is easy to digest. A histogram uses contiguous boxes to illustrate the distribution of data which allows for quick visualization of data shape, center, and spread. On the other hand, a stem-and-leaf plot lists out individual data points, which can become clunky with larger datasets.
Box plots, also known as box-and-whisker plots, are preferred for representing statistical values because they provide a clear summary of data distribution. By showing the median, quartiles, and potential outliers, box plots offer a condensed overview of data variability and central tendency, which is very useful for statistical analysis.