Work Sheet for Cumulative Frequency

1. [P1] The masses of 200 beetles were measured. The results are summarised in the cumulative
frequency table and part of the cumulative frequency curve is drawn.

(a) Complete the cumulative frequency curve. [1]

(b) Use the curve to find an estimate for (i) the median, [1]
(ii) the lower quartile, [1]
(iii) the number of beetles that have a mass greater than 1.85 grams [2]
Answer 4024/12/M/J/18 Q16) (b)(i) 1.7 (b)(ii)1.3 (b)(iii)75
 2. [P1]The lengths of 90 leaves of a plant were measured. The results are given in the table.
The diagram shows part of the cumulative frequency curve.

(a) Complete the cumulative frequency curve. [1]

(b) Use the curve to estimate
(i) the median, [1]
(ii) the number of leaves with a length less than 3.5 cm. [1]
Ans (b) (i) 2.8 (ii) 67 or 68

3. [P1] The cumulative frequency graph shows information about the reaction times of 60 people.
Use the graph to estimate
(a) the lower quartile, [1]
(b) the number of people who have a reaction time of more than 0.2 seconds. [1]
Ans (a) 0.155 (b)20
4. [P1] The times taken for 200 people to complete a 5 km race were recorded.
 The results are summarised in the cumulative frequency diagram.

(a) Use the diagram to estimate

(i) the median time, [1]
(ii) the interquartile range of the times. [2]
(b) It was found that the recording of the times was inaccurate.
The correct times were all one minute more than recorded.
Write down the median and interquartile range of the correct times. [1]
Ans (a) (i) 27 (ii) 5 (b) Median 28, IQR = 5
5. [P1]The masses of 400 goats were measured.
The results are shown in the cumulative frequency graph.
(a) Use the graph to find (i) the median, [1] (ii) the 30th percentile, [1]
(iii) the number of goats whose mass is more than 66 kg. [1]
(b) It was noticed later that the scales used were faulty and that the true readings should all
 be 2 kg more. On the grid above, draw the true cumulative frequency graph. [1]

Ans (a) (i) 65.4 (ii) 64 (iii)

160 (b) Parallel CF curve
from ( 62, 0 ) to ( 72, 400 )

6. [P1]The times taken for 200

children to run 100 m
were recorded. The cumulative
frequency curve
summarises the results.
Use the curve to find
(a) the lower quartile,[1]
(b) the number of children
who took at least 15.5 seconds.
[2]
Ans 4024/12/O/N/10 Q18 (a)
14.7 (b) 30
7. [P2]Paul and Sam are two
athletes who have training sessions together.
On 80 sessions during 2007 they ran the same route, and their times were recorded.
(a) The cumulative frequency curve shows the distribution of Paulʼs times.
 Use the curve to estimate
(i) the median, [1] (ii) the interquartile range, [2]
(iii) how often Paul took more than 64 minutes. [1]
(b) Samʼs times had a lower quartile of 62.5 minutes, a median of 63 minutes and an upper quartile
of 64 minutes. State which athlete was the more consistent runner, giving a reason for your answer.

[1]
Ans 4024/02/M/J/08 Q6) (a)(i) 64.2 (ii) Either 64.5 or 63.6 0.9 (iii) 50 cao (b) Paul – smaller IQR
8. The cumulative frequency curve shows the distribution of the masses of 100 people.
Find (a) the median, [1] (b) the upper quartile, [1]
(c) the number of people with masses in the range 65 < m ≤72. [1]
 Ans 4024/01/M/J/05 Q17) (a) 74.4 to 74.7 (b) 79.1 to 79.4 (c) 23 to 25

9. [P2] A company asked their employees how long they took to travel to work one day.
The table summarises the times for 120 employees

(a) (i) Complete the cumulative frequency table below. [1]

(ii) On the grid, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to represent these results.
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 100 and
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 120
(b) Use your curve to estimate
 (i) the median time, [1]
(ii) the interquartile range of the times. [2]
(c) Calculate an estimate of the mean time taken for the employees to travel to work. [3]
Ans (a)(i) 12 40 85 107 (b)(i) 47 to 49 (ii) 28 to 32 (c)49.3
10. [P1] A group of 80 students took a Physics test. This table shows the distribution of their marks.

(a) Complete the cumulative frequency table. [1]

(b) Draw a cumulative frequency curve for this information

Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 60 and
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on vertical 𝓎 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓎 ≤ 80 [2]
(c) The pass mark for the test is 45.
Use your cumulative frequency curve to estimate the number of students who passed. [2]
Ans (a) 4 16 30 52 70 80 (c) 16 to 18
11. [P2] The table shows the distribution of the masses of 100 babies at birth.
(a) Complete the cumulative frequency table below. [1]

(b) On the grid below draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to represent these results
Use scale 2 cm = 0.5 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 1 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 5 and
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on vertical 𝓎 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓎 ≤ 100 [2]
(c) Use your curve to estimate
(i) the median mass, [1]
(ii) the 10th percentile. [1]
Ans (a) 35,59,84,98(c) (i) 3.4 (ii) 2.3
12. The diagram shows the histogram which represents the heights of the pupils in a small school

(a) (i) On your graph paper, copy and complete this frequency table that represents the
distribution. [2]

(ii) Hence copy and complete this cumulative frequency table that represents the distribution. [1]

(b) Using a scale of 2 cm to represent 10 cm, draw a horizontal h-axis for 130 ≤ h ≤ 190.
Using a scale of 1 cm to represent 10 pupils, draw a vertical axis.
On your axes, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to illustrate the information. [3]
(c) Use your graph to find (i) the median height of the pupils, [1]
(ii) the lower quartile height, [1] (iii) the interquartile range. [1]
Ans 4024/02/O/N/06 Q11) (a)(i) 30,20,30,35,20, 5 (ii)40, 60, 90,125, 145,150 (c)(i)157 - 159
(ii)149 (iii)17

13. [P2] The table summarises the distances, d m, that 80

women threw the javelin.
(a) One of these women is chosen at random.
Find the probability that she threw the javelin 30 metres
or less. [1]
 (b) Calculate an estimate of the mean distance the javelin was thrown. [3]
(c) On the grid, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to represent these results.
Use scale 2 cm = 5 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 20 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 50 and
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 80
(d) Use your graph to find an estimate for (i) the median, [1] (ii) the inter quartile range. [2]
(e) Women who threw the javelin more than 43 m qualified for a regional competition.
Use your graph to estimate the number of women who qualified for this competition. [2]
Answer 4024/21/M/J/19 Q8) (a) 22/80 or 11/40 (b) 33.875 or 33.9 (d)(i) 32.5 to 34 (d)(ii) 8 to 9.5
(e) 6, 7 or 8

14. The mass, in grams, of each of 75 oranges is measured. The results are summarised in the table.
(a) One of these oranges is chosen at random.
Find the probability that it has a mass greater than
200 g. [1]
(b) Calculate an estimate of the mean mass. [3]
(c) On the grid on the next page, draw a cumulative
frequency diagram for the mass of the oranges.
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 160 ≤

𝓍 ≤ 220 and
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for
0 ≤ y ≤ 80
(d) Use your graph to find an estimate for the median.[1]
(e) Oranges with a mass of more than T g are labelled
‘Class A’. 20% of the oranges are labelled ‘Class A’.
Use your graph to find T. [2]
(f) Oranges with a mass of 178 g or less are used to make orange juice.
Use your graph to find an estimate for the number of these oranges that are used to make
orange juice. [1]
Answer 4024/22/M/J/19 Q8)(a)23/75 (b) 192 or 192.4 to 192.5 (c) correct curve with 4, 14,
29, 52, 70, 75 seen (d) 193 to 195 (e) 202 to 205 (f) 11 or 12
15. [P2] 80 people were each asked how much they spent on clothes last month.
The results are summarised in the table below.
(a) Calculate an estimate of the mean amount
spent on clothes last month. [3]
(b) Complete the cumulative frequency table
below. [1]
(c) On the grid opposite, draw a cumulative
frequency curve to represent this data. [2]
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis
 for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 160 and
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 80
(d) (i) Use your graph to estimate the median.
[1]
(ii) Use your graph to estimate the interquartile range. [2]

(e) The number of people who spent more than $85 last month is the same as the number of
people who spent between $k and $85. Given that k is less than 85, use your graph to estimate
the value of k. [3]
Ans (a)75 (b) 25, 46, 64, 73, 78 (c) (d)(i) 74 to 76 (ii) 36 to 44 (e) 54 to 62

16. [P1] Each member of a group of 100 people was asked how long they spent at a gym one
afternoon. The results are summarised in the cumulative frequency table below.

(a) How many people spent between 60 and 90 minutes at the gym? [1]
(b) On the grid below, draw the cumulative frequency curve to represent the information in the

table.
Use scale 2 cm = 20 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 120 and
Use scale 2 cm = 20 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 100 [2]
(c) Use your cumulative frequency curve to estimate
(i) the median time spent at the gym, [1]
(ii) the number of people who spent between 50 and 80 minutes at the gym. [2]
Ans (a) 42 (c) (i)62 to 64 inclusive (ii) 41 to 46 inclusive
17. [P2] The distribution of the masses of 140 eggs is given in the table below
 (b) (i) Complete the cumulative frequency table below. [1]

(ii) On the grid on the next page, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to represent
this information
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 30 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 70 and
Use scale 2 cm = 20 units on vertical 𝓎 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓎 ≤ 140 [2]
(c) Use your graph to find
(i) the median mass of the eggs, [1]
(ii) the interquartile range. [2]
(d) The 12 eggs with the greatest mass are classed as extra large. The 30 eggs with the least mass
are classed as small. Use your graph to find an estimate of the smallest difference in mass between
an extra large egg and a small egg. [2]
Ans (b) (i)35 65 100 128 (c) (i)(51) (ii)(10) (d) (16.5)

18. [P2] Potatoes are sold in sacks. One sack, picked at random, contained 260 potatoes.
The masses, in grams, of the potatoes in this sack are summarised in the table below.

(b) (i) Copy and complete the cumulative frequency table given below. [1]

(ii) Using a scale of 2 cm to represent 50 grams, draw a horizontal axis for masses
between 0 and 350 grams. Using a scale of 2 cm to represent 50 potatoes, draw a vertical axis for
values from 0 to 300. On your axes, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to illustrate this
information. [3]
(iii) Use your curve to find
(a) the median, [1] (b) the interquartile range. [2]
(c) The organisers of a barbecue expect to sell 500 baked potatoes.
Each potato should have a mass greater than 200 g.
Estimate the number of sacks of potatoes they will need. [2]
Ans 4024/02/O/N/07 Q10)(b)(i) 144 220 256 (iii) (a)190 to 197.5 (b) 72.5 to 82.5 (c)5
19. [P2] Lim grows tomatoes. The masses, m grams, of 200 of her tomatoes are recorded.
The cumulative frequency table shows the results.

(a) On the grid, draw a cumulative frequency diagram to represent these results.
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 80 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 160 and
Use scale 1 cm = 20 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 200|
(b) Use your diagram to estimate (i) the median,[ 1] (ii) the inter quartile range. [2]
(c) Ravi also grows tomatoes.
The masses of 200 of his tomatoes are also recorded.
For Ravi’s tomatoes, the median mass was 124 g and the inter quartile range of the masses
was 12 g. Make two comments comparing the masses of tomatoes grown by Lim with those grown
by Ravi [2]
(d) (i) Complete the frequency table for the masses
of tomatoes grown by Lim. [1]
(ii) Write down the modal class. [1]
(iii) Calculate an estimate for the mean mass of
these tomatoes. [3]
Answer 4024/22/O/N/18 Q2) (b)(i) 118 to 120 (b)
(ii) 14 to 18 (c) 1) On average Lim’s tomatoes had
lower masses oe 2)Masses of Ravi’s tomatoes were
more consistent oe (d)(i) 46, 26 (d)(ii) 110 < m
⩽120 (d)(iii) 118.8
20. [P2] The cumulative frequency curve
summarises the times taken by 80 boys to run 200 m.
(i) Find the median time.[1]
(ii) Find the interquartile range. [2]
(iii) 60 girls also ran 200 m. The girl
who took the longest time ran 200
m in 40 seconds. The girl who took
the shortest time ran 200 m in 28
seconds.
The lower quartile for the boys and
the girls is the same. The
interquartile range for the girls is 4
seconds. Draw the cumulative
frequency curve on the grid above. [
 [3]
Ans (i)34 (ii)4.5 (iii) (28, 0) (32, 15) (36, 45) (40, 60) plotted and points joined
21. [P2] 100 electric light bulbs of Brand A were tested to find how long each bulb lasted.
The results are summarised in the table below.

(a) Complete the cumulative frequency table. [1]

(b) On the grid, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to represent this information.
Use scale 2 cm = 50 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 350 and
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 120
Label this curve Brand A.
(c) (i) Use your graph to estimate the median. [1]
(ii) Use your graph to estimate the interquartile range. [2]
(d) 100 Brand B bulbs gave the following results.
4 bulbs lasted 50 hours or less.
The longest time any bulb lasted was 300 hours.
The median is 250 hours.
The upper quartile is 275 hours.
The interquartile range is 75 hours.
On the grid, draw and label the cumulative frequency curve for the Brand B bulbs. [4]
(e) Using your graph, estimate the number of Brand A bulbs that lasted 275 hours or less. [1]
(f) Complete the statement below.
Brand ............ had ............ more bulbs that lasted longer than 275 hours than Brand .............. [1]
Ans (a) (2) (4) 14 54 84 98 (100) (c) (i) 195 ft 190 ⩽and < 200 (ii) 50 –75 (d) (50 , 4) (300,100)
(250,50) (275,75) (200,25) plotted and joined with smooth curve (e) 92 (f) B, 15 , A
22. [P2]One day, garage A records the amount of petrol bought by the first 120 customers.
The results are summarised in the table below
 (a) Complete the cumulative frequency table below. [1]

(b) On the grid below, draw a cumulative frequency curve to represent this data.
Use scale 2 cm = 10 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 80 and
Use scale 1 cm = 10 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 120 [3]
(c) Use your graph to estimate
(i) the median, [1] (ii) the 90th percentile of the distribution. [1]
(d) On the same day, garage B also recorded the amount of petrol bought by its first 120
customers. The results are summarised below.
6 customers bought 10 litres or less.
The most petrol bought by any customer was 60 litres.
The median amount of petrol bought was 34 litres.
The lower quartile of the distribution was 25 litres.
The interquartile range of the distribution was 19 litres.
Draw the cumulative frequency curve for garage B on the grid on the previous page. [3]
(e) Petrol is priced at $2.60 per litre at both garages.
Garage A offers a gift to customers who buy over 35 litres.
Garage B offers a gift to customers who spend over $104.
Use your graphs to estimate the number of these customers offered a gift at each garage and
complete the sentence below.
Show your working.
Answer Garage ............. offers a gift to .............. more customers than garage .............. [3]
Ans (a) 58, 88, 104, 113, 118 (c) (i) 30 < their answer ⩽31 (ii) 53 ⩽their answer ⩽55 (d)
Correct graph through (10, 6) (25, 30) (34, 60) (44, 90) (60, 120) (e) (garage A 44 to 48) ,
104/2.6 = 40 , (garage B at 38 to 44), garage A offers (4 to 6 )more gifts than garage B
23. The time taken by each of 320 students taking a Physics test was recorded.
The following table shows a distribution of their times.

(a) Complete the cumulative frequency table below. [1]

(b) For this part of the question use the graph paper opposite.
(i) Using a scale of 2 cm to represent 10 minutes, draw a horizontal m-axis for 60 ≤ m ≤120.
Using a scale of 1 cm to represent 20 students, draw a vertical axis for cumulative
 frequencies from 0 to 320.
On your axes, draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to illustrate the information. [3]
(ii) Use your graph to estimate
(a) the median, [1]
(b)the interquartile range, [2]
(c)the percentage of students who took at least 95 minutes to complete the test. [2]
(iii) A group of 300 students of similar ability took an equivalent test the previous year.
The following graph shows a distribution of their times
(a)Find the 20th percentile. [1]
(b)Find the percentage of students who took at least 95 minutes to complete the test. [1]
(c)Hence make a comparison between the two tests.
Answer.......................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................[1]

Ans (a) 220, 288, 312, 320 (b) (ii) (a)83 →85 (b)13.5 →16.5 (c)15 to 19% (iii) (a)76 (b)25% (c)More
pupils took longer (so) previous test was probably harder
24. [P1]Fifty students each took a Mathematics and an English test. The distributions of their marks are
Shown in the cumulative frequency graph.

(a) Use the graph (i) to estimate the median mark in the English test, [1]
(ii) to estimate the 20th percentile mark in the Mathematics test. [1]
(b) State, with a reason, which test the students found more difficult. [1]
Ans 4024/01/M/J/09 Q9 (a)(i) 54 to 56 (ii) 28 to 30 (b) Mathematics with reason e.g. because
median is lower or both medians stated
25. [P1] The diagram above is the cumulative frequency curve for the heights of 400 plants which
were grown in Field A. Use the graph to find
(a) the number of plants that grew to a height of more than 30 cm, [1]
(b) the interquartile range. [1]
(c) Another 400 plants were grown in Field B.
The cumulative frequency distribution of the heights of these plants is shown in the
table.

On the same axes as for Field A, draw the cumulative frequency curve for the plants
grown in Field B. [2]
 (d) By comparing the two curves, state, with a reason, which Field produced the taller
plants.
Answer (d)Field .......... produced the taller plants because ................................................... [1]

Ans 4024/01/O/N/05 Q19) (a) 219 → 221 (b) 13 (d) A – any comparison using curves

26. [P1] The diagram above is the cumulative frequency curve for the heights of 400 plants which
were grown in Field A. Use the graph to find
(a) the number of plants that grew to a height of more than 30 cm, [1]
(b) the interquartile range. [1]
 (c) Another 400 plants were grown in Field B.
The cumulative frequency distribution of the heights of these plants is shown in the
table.

On the same axes as for Field A, draw the cumulative frequency curve for the plants grown in Field
B. [2]
(d) By comparing the two curves, state, with a reason, which Field produced the taller
plants.
Answer (d)Field .......... produced the taller plants because ...................................................
............................................................................................................................................ [1]
Ans 4024/01/O/N/05 Q19) (a) 219 → 221 (b) 13 (d) A – any comparison using curves

27. [P2] (b) The masses, in grams, of 240 potatoes were found.
The cumulative frequency table for these results is shown below.

(i) Draw a smooth cumulative frequency curve to illustrate this information.

 Use scale 2 cm = 50 units on horizontal 𝓍 axis for 0 ≤ 𝓍 ≤ 350 and
Use scale 2 cm = 50 units on vertical y axis for 0 ≤ y ≤ 250 [2]
(ii) (a) Find the median. [1] (b) Find the inter-quartile range. [2]
(iii) Complete the frequency table below. [1]

(iv) A potato with a mass greater than 250 grams is classed as extra large.
(a) How many of these potatoes are extra large? [1]
(b) Which percentile of the distribution can be used to find this number? [2]
Answer (b) (ii) (a)(195)(g) (b) 72 to 88(g) (iii) 50 78 72 32 4 (iv) (a) 36 (b)85 or 86