Mode From Frequency Table

Example:
Find the mode of the following set of marks.

Marks 1 2 3 4 5
Frequency 6 7 7 5 3

Solution:
The marks 2 and 3 have the highest frequency. So, the modes are 2 and 3.

The above example also shows that a set of observations may have more than
one mode.

Mean From Frequency Table

If the data is summarized in a frequency table, we use the following formula to

find mean.

The following diagram shows how to find the mean of discrete data or grouped
data from a frequency table.
Example:
The table shows the marks obtained by a group of players in a game. Find the
mean of the marks.

Marks 0 1 2 3
Frequency 11 10 19 10

Solution:
To calculate the mean, we first add the following values to the frequency table:

Marks 0 1 2 3
Frequency 11 10 19 10 Total = 50
Marks × Frequency 0 × 11=0 1 × 10=10 2 × 19=38 3 × 10=30 Total = 78

Then, we calculate the mean using the formula.

How To Obtain The Mean, Median And Mode From A Frequency Table?

To find the mean: Multiply midpoints by frequencies, add the subtotals and
divide by the total of the frequencies.

To find the mode: Look for the largest frequency and the corresponding value
is the modal value or modal class.

To find the median: Calculate a running total of the frequencies - the first
interval that is above half the total contains the median.

In a survey to find out the living standards of the people in the city, the
monthly income of 5 randomly chosen households were obtained.

Household 1 2 3 4 5

Income
2,00,000 1,50,000 1,20,000 15,00,000 1,10,000
(in ₹)
The mean income of these households is ₹4,16,000. However, we observe
that 4 out of 5 households have income below ₹4,16,000. This value gives a
distorted picture of the standard of living of the people in the city because one
household has an extremely high income. To obtain a more accurate
representation of the data, one way is to use another type of average called
the median. The median is the middle value when the data is arranged in
ascending or descending order.

After arranging the data given above in ascending order, the median
is ₹1,50,000. This is most accurate as most incomes are between ₹1,10,000
and ₹2,00,000.

In general, if x1, x2, …xnx1, x2, …xn are nn values of a variable X,X, then to
find the median we follow the following steps:

Step 1: Arrange the observations in ascending or descending order of

magnitude.

Step 2: Determine the total number of observations, say, n.n.

Step 3: If nn is odd then the median = value

of (n+12)th(n+12)th observation.

If nn is even then the median = arithmetic mean of the value

of (n2)th(n2)th and (n2+1)th(n2+1)thobservation.

Let's look at some examples.

1) Find the median of the following set of data

20, 25, 21, 24, 22, 32, 1820, 25, 21, 24, 22, 32, 18

Arranging the data in ascending order of magnitude, we have

18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 3218, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 32
There are 7 ( odd number ) observations, therefore, the median is the value
of (7+12)th=4th(7+12)th=4th observation.

∴∴median = observation in the 4th position

= 22.

2) Find the median of the following set of data

13, 8, 19, 30, 15, 21, 9, 513, 8, 19, 30, 15, 21, 9, 5

Arranging the data in descending order of magnitude, we have

30, 21, 19, 15, 13, 9, 8, 530, 21, 19, 15, 13, 9, 8, 5

Since there are 8 ( even number ) observations. Therefore, the median is the
arithmetic mean of (82)th(82)th and (82+1)th(82+1)th observation =
4th and 5th observation.

∴∴ median = mean of the observation in the 4th and 5th position

=13+152=14.=13+152=14.

Finding the Median of Discrete Frequency Distribution

The number of goals scored per match by Kriti during a hockey season was
recorded. What is the median number of goals scored by Kriti during a game?

Goal Frequenc
Cumulative Frequency
s y

0 1 1 ←← scores of 0

1 6 7 ←← scores of 0 or 1

2 7 14 ←← scores of 0, 1 or 2
 3 2 16 ←← scores of 0, 1, 2 or 3

4 3 19 ←← scores of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4

20 ←← scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or
5 1
5

When data is entered into a frequency table, a column that displays the
cumulative frequency is often included. This column is simply the sum of all
frequencies up to the observation, including the frequency of that observation.
The median can be determined by using the information that is presented in
the cumulative frequency column.

In this example, there are 20 observations, which is an even number.

Therefore, the median is the arithmetic mean
of (202)th(202)th and (202+1)th(202+1)th observation = 10th and
11th observation. According to the table, the numbers in the 10th and
11th position are 2's. Therefore, the median is 2+22=42=22+22=42=2 goals.

Finding the Median of Grouped Data

The marks obtained in English test by 17 students were recorded. What is the
median marks of the students?

Frequenc
Marks out of 50 Cumulative frequency
y

0-10 2 2

10-20 4 6

20-30 5 11

30-40 4 15
 40-50 2 17

In the grouped data given above, it is not possible to locate the middle-most
observation by simple observation of the cumulative frequency column. The
9th observation is the middle-most and its value is somewhere inside the class
interval 20-30. To come at this conclusion, we find the value N2N2 and then
locate the class whose cumulative frequency is greater than the value
of N2.N2.

In the table N2=172=8.5.N2=172=8.5. Here, 20-30 is the class whose

cumulative frequency is 11 which is greater than 8.5.

The class whose cumulative frequency is greater than the value N2N2 is
called the median class.

So in the table, the median class is 20-30. To find the median of a grouped
data, we have the formula

Median=l+N2−Ff×hMedian=l+N2−Ff×h
where ll = lower limit of the median class

ff = frequency of the median class

FF = cumulative frequency of the class preceding the median class

NN = total number of observations

hh = width of the median class

From the table above, we
have l=20, N=17, F=6, f=5l=20, N=17, F=6, f=5 and h=10.h=10.

∴Median=20+172−65×10=20+510×10=20+5=25∴Median=20+172−65×10
=20+510×10=20+5=25
Therefore, the median marks is 25.
In summary, we can use the following steps to compute the median of
grouped data:

Step 1: Prepare the frequency distribution table in such a way that its first
column consists of the observations and the second column the respective
frequency.

Step 2: The third column consists of the cumulative frequency.

Step 3: Obtain NN and find N2.N2.

Step 4: Find the class whose cumulative frequency is just greater than the
value N2.N2. This class is known as the median class.

Step 5: To calculate median, use the formula

Median=l+N2−Ff×hMedian=l+N2−Ff×h

Examples

Example 1

The shoe size of 155 people was recorded and the raw data was presented in
the form of the following frequency table:

Size of 5. 7.
4.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 6.5 7.0 8.0
shoe 5 5

Frequency 10 18 22 25 40 15 10 8 7

Obtain the median size of the shoe.

Size of Frequenc Cumulative frequency

 shoe y

4.0 10 10

4.5 18 28

5.0 22 50

5.5 25 75

6.0 40 115

6.5 15 130

7.0 10 140

7.5 8 148

8.0 7 155

NN = 155

In this example, there are 155 observations, which is an odd number.

Therefore,

Median = Observation in the (155+12)th(155+12)th position

= Observation in the 78th position

According to the table, the number whose cumulative frequency is greater
than 78 is 6. Hence, the median size of the shoe is 6.

Example 2

Find the median of the following frequency distribution.

Marks 0-10 10-30 30-60 60-80 80-90

Number of students 8 20 36 24 12

Here, the class intervals are of unequal width. If the class intervals are of
unequal width the frequencies need not be adjusted to make the class
intervals equal. The cumulative frequency distribution table from the given
data:

Cumulative
Marks Number of students
frequency

0-10 8 8

10-30 20 28

30-60 36 64

60-80 24 88

80-90 12 100

NN=100

Here, N=100. ∴N2=50N=100. ∴N2=50.

The cumulative frequency just greater than 1002=501002=50 is 64 and the
corresponding class is 30-60. Hence, 30-60 is the median class.

We have,

l=30, f=36, F=28, h=30l=30, f=36, F=28, h=30

We know,

Median=l+N2−Ff×h=30+1002−2836×30=30+50−2836×30=30+18.33=
48.33Median=l+N2−Ff×h=30+1002−2836×30=30+50−2836×30=30+18.33=48.33

Example 3

Compute the median from the following data.

2
Mid-value 5 15 35 45 55
5

Frequenc 2
7 10 51 6 3
y 3

Here, we are given the mid-values. So, we should first find the upper and
lower limits of the various classes. The class width, hh = 15 - 5 = 10.

∴∴ Lower limit of the class = Mid-value - h2h2

Upper limit of the class = Mid-value + h2h2

Mid- Frequenc
Class Cumulative Frequency
value y

5 0-10 7 7

15 10-20 10 17
 25 20-30 23 40

35 30-40 51 91

45 40-50 6 97

55 50-60 3 100

NN= 100

Here, N=100. ∴N2=50.N=100. ∴N2=50.

The cumulative frequency just greater than 1002=501002=50 is 91 and the

corresponding class is 30-40. So, 30-40 is the median class.

We have,

l=30, f=51, F=40, h=10l=30, f=51, F=40, h=10

We know,
Median=l+N2−Ff×h=30+1002−4051×10=30+50−4051×10=30+1.96=3
1.96Median=l+N2−Ff×h=30+1002−4051×10=30+50−4051×10=30+1.96=31.96

Example 4

If the median of the following frequency distribution is 28.5, find the missing
frequencies.

10- 40-
Class 0-10 20-30 30-40 50-60 Total
20 50

Frequenc
f1f1 8 20 15 7 f2f2 60
y
The total frequency is 60.

∴f1+8+20+15+7+f2=60⇒f1+f2=10∴f1+8+20+15+7+f2=60⇒f1+f2=10
It is given that the median is 28.5.

Clearly, 28.5 lies in the median class 20-30. So, 20-30 is the median class.

We have,

l=20, f=20, F=f1+8, N=60, h=10l=20, f=20, F=f1+8, N=60, h=10

We know,
Median28.528.5−208.5×217f1=l+N2−Ff×h=20+602−
(f1+8)20×10=22−f12=22−f1=22−f1=5Median=l+N2−Ff×h28.5=20+602−
(f1+8)20×1028.5−20=22−f128.5×2=22−f117=22−f1f1=5
Since, f1+f2=10.f1+f2=10. Therefore, f2=10−5=5.f2=10−5=5.

Hence, f1=5f1=5 and f2=5.f2=5.

Remember this!

 The median is the middlemost observation of a set of data that has

been arranged in order of magnitude.
In nn is odd then the median = value
of (n+12)th(n+12)th observation.

If nn is even then the median = arithmetic mean

of (n2)th(n2)th and (n2+1)th(n2+1)th observation.

 The median of grouped frequency distribution is given by

Median=l+N2−Ff×hMedian=l+N2−Ff×h
where ll = lower limit of the median class
ff = frequency of the median class
FF = cumulative frequency of the class preceding the median
class
 NN = total number of observations
hh = width of the median class

Review

1. Find the median of the following set of data: 12, 11, 13, 11, 16.

2. Find the median of the following set of data: 12, 18, 24, 18, 11, 20, 29, 41,
20.

3. The time taken, in minutes, for a group of children to complete a puzzle is

recorded.

Time taken ( in
5 6 7 8 9
min )

Number of children 8 4 3 10 3

Find the median time taken by the group of children to complete the puzzle.

4. What is the median of the first 50 natural numbers?

5. What is the median of the first 10 prime numbers?

6. What is the median of 12, 23, 34, 1612, 23, 34, 16 and 712?712?

7. The numbers 3, 7, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20 and xx are arranged in ascending
order. If the mean of the numbers is equal to the median, find the value of x.x.

8. The median of a set of eight numbers is 4.5. Given that seven of the
numbers are 7, 2, 13, 4, 8, 2 and 1, find the eighth number.

9. If 10, 13, 15, 18, (x+1)(x+1), (x+3)(x+3), 30, 32, 35 and 41 are the
observations in the ascending order with median 24, find the value of x.x.
10. Find k6k6 where 6 is the median of the
scores k2, k3, k4, k5k2, k3, k4, k5 and k6.k6.

11. Find the median of the following set of numbers: 39.6, 12, 11.5, 22.6, 32.5,
8.4, 5.5, 4.7.

12. Find the median of the following set of

fractions: 34,12, 512, 13, 14, 83, 54.34,12, 512, 13, 14, 83, 54.

13. The temperatures, taken at midnight, of six consecutive nights in

Bengaluru are given as follows:

22° C, 24° C, 26° C, 20° C, 23° C, 22° C.

i. State the median temperature.

ii. If 22° C is added to the above set of data, what will be the new median
temperature?

14. As part of the school's Earth Day celebration, 100 students each sowed 5
seeds into each of 100 planters. One week later, the number of seeds
germinating in each planter was recorded and the results are given in the
table.

Number of seeds
0 1 2 3 4 5
germinating

1
Number of planters 10 20 30 25 5
0

i. Write down the total number of seeds that were sown.

ii. Find the fraction of the seeds that did not germinate.
iii. Calculate the median of the distribution.

15. The number of errors in the first draft of Tina's thesis is shown in the
table.
 Number of
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
errors

Number of 1
11 3 7 4 3 2
pages 0

i. How many pages does the thesis contain?

ii. Find the percentage of pages with fewer than 2 errors.
iii. Calculate the median number of errors made by Tina.

16. The number of magazines read by a group of women in a week is

recorded.

Number of magazines 0 1 2 3

Number of women 5 2 1 xx

If the median of the distribution is 2, find the value of x.x.

17. Find the median for the following frequency distribution.

20- 50-
Class 10-19 30-39 40-49 60-69 70-79
29 59

Frequenc
2 4 8 9 4 2 1
y

18. Find the median for the following frequency distribution.

7
Class 95 115 135 155 175 195
5
 Frequenc
4 5 13 20 14 8 4
y

19. The median of the following data is 52.5. Find the value of f1f1 and f2f2 if
the total frequency is 100.

0- 20- 30- 40- 50- 60- 70- 80- 90-

Class 10-20
10 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Frequency 2 f1f1 9 12 17 f2f2 15 9 7 4

20. Compute the median for the following data:

Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less

Marks than than than than than than than than
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Number of
0 10 25 43 65 87 96 100
students