Frequency table

Definition

A frequency table is a tabular representation that summarizes the distribution of data by displaying the frequency (count) of each distinct value or class interval. It helps in understanding the shape and spread of the data.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Frequency tables are used to organize raw data into a more interpretable format.
2. They often include columns for values (or intervals), frequencies, relative frequencies, and cumulative frequencies.
3. Relative frequency is calculated by dividing the frequency of each value by the total number of observations.
4. Cumulative frequency is obtained by adding each frequency from a frequency table to the sum of its predecessors.
5. Frequency tables can be used as a base for creating histograms and other graphical representations.

Review Questions

• What information does a frequency table provide about a dataset?
• How is relative frequency different from absolute frequency?
• Why might you use cumulative frequencies in analyzing a dataset?

Related terms

Histogram: A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data, usually represented by bars where the height indicates the frequency.

Relative Frequency: The proportion of all data points that fall within a specified category or interval, calculated as $\frac{\text{frequency}}{\text{total number of observations}}$.

Cumulative Frequency: A running total of frequencies through the classes in ascending order, showing how many observations fall below a particular value.