1. The problem involves analyzing a histogram that shows the frequency distribution of carrying loads (in pounds per square foot) across different load intervals: 860, 880, 900, 920, and 940. 2. To solve typical problems related to histograms, such as finding the mean or estimating probabilities, we use the formula for the mean of grouped data: $$\text{Mean} = \frac{\sum (f \times x)}{\sum f}$$ where $f$ is the frequency and $x$ is the midpoint or representative value of each class. 3. Here, the carrying loads are given as specific values, so we treat them as midpoints. The frequencies are: - 860: 4 - 880: 7 - 900: 10 - 920: 6 - 940: 2 4. Calculate the sum of frequencies: $$\sum f = 4 + 7 + 10 + 6 + 2 = 29$$ 5. Calculate the sum of the products of frequency and carrying load: $$\sum (f \times x) = (4 \times 860) + (7 \times 880) + (10 \times 900) + (6 \times 920) + (2 \times 940)$$ $$= 3440 + 6160 + 9000 + 5520 + 1880 = 26000$$ 6. Calculate the mean carrying load: $$\text{Mean} = \frac{26000}{29}$$ 7. Simplify the fraction by canceling common factors if possible: $$\frac{\cancel{26000}}{\cancel{29}}$$ Since 29 is prime and does not divide 26000 evenly, the fraction remains as is. 8. Calculate the decimal value: $$\text{Mean} \approx 896.55$$ 9. Therefore, the average carrying load is approximately 896.55 pounds per square foot. This method can be used to find other statistics such as median or mode if needed, but the problem only requests a solution based on the histogram data provided.