LESSON

Percentiles are values that separates a set of data into 100 equal groups. We can use
P1, P2, P3,… P99 to represent percentile . It is used to describe values according to the
percentage below them. For example, P1 separates the lowest 1% from the other 99%,
P2 separates the lowest 2% from the other 98%. P 20 or the 20th percentile means 20%
of the data have values less than or equal to P20.
Percentiles can be computed in the same way as deciles and quartiles.
Steps:
a. Arrange the values of the data in ascending order.
b. Use the formula 𝑡ℎ
= 100 (𝑛 + 1) position/score
𝑘
𝑃𝑘
c. Interpolate if necessary
Example 1:
Find the 20th percentile of the following set of data:
27, 29, 20, 28, 25, 25, 23, 30, 28, 24
Solution:
a. Arrange the data in ascending order
20, 23, 24, 25, 25, 27, 28, 28, 29, 30
b. Use the formula 𝑃𝑘 𝑘 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ position/score
= 100
n=10
Position of 𝑃𝑘 𝑘 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ
= 100
20
𝑃20 = (10 + 1)𝑡ℎ
100
𝑃20 = 2.2th score, which lies between 2nd and 3rd score

20, 23, 24, 25, 25, 27, 28, 28, 29, 30

c. Interpolate the value to obtain P20

1. Subtract the second data from the third data: 24 – 23 = 1
2. Multiply the result by the decimal part obtained in the position of
P20 : 1 (0.2) = .2
3. Add the result to the 2nd or the smaller number : 23 + 0.2 = 23.2

Example 2 :
Find the 30th percentile, given the scores of 9 students in their Mathematics
Periodical Test.
45, 38, 35, 29, 54, 54,43, 42, 38
Solution:
a. Arrange the data in ascending order
29, 35, 38, 38, 42, 43, 45, 54, 54
b. Use the formula 𝑘 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ position/score
𝑃𝑘 = 100
n=9
30
𝑃30 = (9 + 1)𝑡ℎ
100
30
𝑃30 = (10)𝑡ℎ
100
𝑃30 = 3 rd score

29, 35, 38, 38, 42, 43, 45, 54, 54, 55, 56, 60
𝑃30 = 38
This means that 30 % of the students got a score of 38 and below.
p
 ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 1: LET’S PRACTICE
Direction: Complete the table below to find the 60 th percentile for the following set of
data.

Data Find the position of Find 𝑃60

𝑘 𝑡ℎ
𝑃𝑘 = 100(𝑛 + 1)
1. 20, 22, 25, 32, 35 𝑃60 =

2. 49, 50, 55, 55, 60, 67 𝑃60 =

3. 18, 19, 20, 22, 25,27, 29, 30, 32 𝑃60 =

ACTVITY 2: KEEP PRACTICING

Direction: The data shows the height of the students in centimeter. Find the indicated
percentile of the given data. Write a short interpretation.
150, 149, 148, 152, 154, 152, 151, 150, 153, 147

1. 𝑃10

2. 𝑃35

3. 𝑃70

ACTIVITY 3: TEST YOURSELF

Direction: Given the following set of data, give what is being asked. Number 1 is
done for you.
22, 24, 26, 21, 20, 18, 22, 28, 29, 30
1. list the items that are below 𝑃15 18 since𝑃15 = 19.3

2. list the items that are below 𝑃42

3. list the items that are above 𝑃67

 WRAP – UP

 How do you calculate for the indicated percentile of a given set of

data?
 Is 𝑃50 equal to the median of the given set of ungrouped data?
 What is the importance of percentile?

VALUING
Percentile helps you understand what position
you belong to. It answers if you are above or below
the rank or at the middle. In our life, let us remember
that whatever position you hold to, it is important to
be humble. Humility is a virtue.
Think of some situations that you could show
humility. Write your answer on the blanks provided
below.

POSTTEST

Direction: Read the questions carefully. Encircle the letter

of the correct answer.

1. The following are equivalent to 50%

EXCEPT?
a. D5 c. Q2
b. P50 d. D50
2. What is the 30th percentile of the following set
of data: 12, 25, 18, 17, 20? a. 10 c. 20
b. 19.6 d. 20.4
3. The 25 percentile is also known as
th

a. first quartile c. third quartile

b. second quartile d. fourth decile
4. In a 50- item test, you got 35 which is the 75 th percentile. What
does it mean?
 a. You got the highest score.
b. Your score is higher than 25 % of your classmates.
c. 25 % of your classmates got the scores higher than 35.
d. 75 % of your classmates did not pass the test.
5. What is the 20th percentile of the following set of data:
88, 89, 85, 88, 84, 90? a. 84.4 c. 88.4
b. 85 .4 d. 89.4