Final answer:
Frequency distributions commonly take the shape of a histogram or frequency polygon, which can be normal, skewed, or have other distinctive shapes based on the data's distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Frequency distributions often take the shape of a histogram, which is a graphical representation of data. This shape can be described as normal, approximately normal, or skewed, depending on the distribution of the data. By drawing a smooth curve through the tops of the bars in a histogram, you can determine the distribution's shape, such as whether it has a single peak, is uniform across, or has a pronounced skew to one side. This same concept applies to frequency polygons, which are line graphs used to interpret continuous data visually. The shape of frequency distributions is influenced by the variables being measured and the frequency of the data points within these variables.