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Cumulative frequency distribution:

Cumulative frequency distribution is a distribution that shows the number of data

values less than or equal to a specific value (usually an upper boundary). The values
are found by adding the frequencies of the classes less than or equal to the upper class
boundary of a specific class.

Example 3.4:

Using the results from (Example 3.3) find the cumulative frequencies.

Class limit Class boundaries Frequency

24-30 23.5-30.5 3

31-37 30.5-37.5 1

38-44 37.5-44.5 5

45-51 44.5-51.5 9

52-58 51.5-58.5 6

59-65 58.5-65.5 1

25

Solution: The cumulative frequency for the first class is 0 + 3 = 3; for the second
class it is 0 + 3 + 1 =4; for the third class it is 0 + 3 + 1 + 5 = 9, etc.
Class limit Class boundaries Frequency Cumulative
frequencies
Less than 23.5 0
24-30 23.5-30.5 3 Less than 30.5 3

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31-37 30.5-37.5 1 Less than 37.5 4
38-44 37.5-44.5 5 Less than 44.5 9
45-51 44.5-51.5 9 Less than 51.5 18
52-58 51.5-58.5 6 Less than 58.5 24
59-65 58.5-65.5 1 Less than 65.5 25
25

Constructing a Grouped Frequency Distribution

Step 1 Determine the classes.

H= The highest value in data

L= The lowest value in data

1. Total range (R)

𝑅 =𝐻−𝐿
2. Number of classes: There are many formula to determine the number of
classes (𝑚) one of them (Sturges formula)

𝑚 = 1 + 3.322 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑛)
n: number of observations
3. width by dividing the range by the number of classes.

𝑅
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡h =
𝑚

Step 2 Tally the data.

Step 3 Find the numerical frequencies from the tallies, and find the cumulative
frequencies.
Example 3.5 : Record High Temperatures

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 2024- Statistics
These data represent the record high temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit (F) for each
of the 50 states. Construct a grouped frequency distribution for the data using 7 classes.

Solution: Step 1: Determine the classes. Find the highest value and lowest value: 𝐻 =
134 and 𝐿 = 100. Find the range:

𝑅=𝐻 − 𝐿

𝑅 = 134 − 100 = 34

𝑅 34
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡h = = =5
𝑚 7

𝐿𝑥1 = 100 , 𝐿𝑥2 = 105 , 𝐿𝑥3 = 110 , 𝑒𝑡𝑐.

𝑈𝑥1 = 𝐿𝑥2 − 1 = 105 − 1 = 104

The first class is 100–104, the second class is 105–109, etc.

The cumulative frequency for the first class is 0 + 2 = 2; for the second class it is 0 +
2 + 8 = 10 ; for the third class it is 0 + 2 + 8 + 10 = 28 , etc.
Step 2 Tally the data.
Step 3 Find the numerical frequencies from the tallies. The completed frequency
distribution is
Class Class Tally Frequency Cumulative
limits boundaries frequencies
100 - 104 99.5- 104.5 // 2 2

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105 - 109 104.5- 109.5 //// /// 8 10
110 - 114 109.5- 114.5 //// //// //// /// 18 28
115 - 119 114.5-119.5 //// //// /// 13 41
120 - 124 119.5- 124.5 //// // 7 48
125 - 129 124.5- 129.5 / 1 49
130 - 134 129.5- 134.5 / 1 50

𝑛 = ∑ 𝑓 = 50

3.2 Histograms, Frequency Polygons

After you have organized the data into a frequency distribution, you can present them
in graphical form.

❖ The three most commonly used graphs in research are

a) The histogram.
b) The frequency polygon.
c) The cumulative frequency graph

A. The Histogram

The histogram is a graph that displays the data by using contiguous vertical bars (unless
the frequency of a class is 0) of various heights to represent the frequencies of the
classes.

Histogram: Represent the frequency on the y axis and the class boundaries on the x
axis.

Example 3.6: Record High Temperatures

Construct a histogram to represent the data shown for the record high temperatures for
each of the 50 states (see Example 3.5).
Class boundaries Frequency

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 2024- Statistics
99.5- 104.5 2
104.5- 109.5 8
109.5- 114.5 18
114.5-119.5 13
119.5- 124.5 7
124.5- 129.5 1
129.5- 134.5 1

Solution:

As the histogram shows, the class with the greatest number of data values (18) is 109.5–
114.5.

B. The Frequency Polygon:

The frequency polygon is a graph that displays the data by using lines that connect
points plotted for the frequencies at the midpoints of the classes. The frequencies are
represented by the heights of the points.

Frequency polygon: Using the midpoints for the x values and the frequencies as the y
values, plot the points
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 2024- Statistics
Example 3.7: Record High Temperatures

Using the frequency distribution given in Example 3.5, construct a frequency polygon.

100+104 105+109
Solution: = 102 , = 107
2 2

Class limits Midpoints Frequency

100 - 104 102 2
105 - 109 107 8
110 - 114 112 18
115 - 119 117 13
120 - 124 122 7
125 - 129 127 1
130 - 134 132 1

Solution:

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 2024- Statistics
Example 3.8:

Construct a histogram, and a frequency polygon for the data.

Class limits Frequency
2.3 – 2.9 1
3.0 – 3.6 3
3.7 – 4.3 4
4.4 – 5.0 16
5.1 – 5.7 14
5.8 – 6.4 4

Exercise1: Using the histogram shown here, do the following.

a. Construct a frequency distribution; include class limits, class frequencies,

midpoints, and cumulative frequencies.
b. Construct a frequency polygon.

Exercise2: Using the results from (Exercise1), answer these questions.

a. How many values are in the class 27.5–30.5?

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 2024- Statistics
b. How many values fall between 24.5 and 36.5?

c. How many values are below 33.5?

d. How many values are above 30.5?

❖ Other Types of Graphs

a. Bar Graphs
b. The Time Series Graph
c. Pie Graph

a) Bar Graphs
A bar graph represents the data by using vertical or horizontal bars whose heights or
lengths represent the frequencies of the data.

Example: College Spending for First-Year Students

The table shows the average money spent by first-year college students. Draw a
horizontal and vertical bar graph for the data.
Electronics $ 728

Dorm decor 344

Clothing 141

Shoes 72

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b) The Time Series Graph

A time series graph represents data that occur over a specific period of time.

Example: Arson Damage to Churches

The arson damage to churches for the years 2001 through 2005 is shown. Construct
and analyze a time series graph for the data.
Year Damage (in millions)
2001 $2.8
2002 3.3
2003 3.4
2004 5.0
2005 8.5

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 2024- Statistics

c) Pie Graph
A pie graph is a circle that is divided into sections or wedges according to the
percentage of frequencies in each category of the distribution.

Example: Super Bowl Snack Foods

This frequency distribution shows the number of pounds of each snack food eaten
during the Super Bowl. Construct a pie graph for the data.
Snack Pounds (frequency)
Potato chips 11.2 million
Tortilla chips 8.2 million
Pretzels 4.3 million
Popcorn 3.8 million
Snack nuts 2.5 million
Total n = 30.0 million

Solution:
Step1: Since there are 360° in a circle.
𝐟
𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 = . 𝟑𝟔𝟎°
𝐧
11.2
Potato chips = . 360° = 134°
30

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8.2
Tortilla chips = . 360° = 98°
30
4.3
Pretzels = . 360° = 52°
30
3.8
Popcorn = . 360° = 46°
30
2.5
Snack nuts = . 360° = 30°
30
Total = 360°
Step2: Since there are 360° in a circle.
𝐟
% = . 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝐧
11.2
Potato chips = . 100% =37.3%
30
8.2
Tortilla chips = . 100%=27.3%
30
4.3
Pretzels = . 100%=14.3%
30
3.8
Popcorn = . 100%=12.7%
30
2.5
Snack nuts = . 100%=8.3%
30
Total = 99.9%
Step 3: using a protractor and a compass, draw the graph using the appropriate
degree measures found in step 1, and label each section with the name and
percentages.

Example:
Construct a pie graph showing the blood types of the army inductees.

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 2024- Statistics

Class Frequency Percent

A 5 20
B 7 28
O 9 36
AB 4 16
25 100

Solution:
f
Degree = . 360°
n
5
A= . 360° = 72°
25
7
B= . 360° = 100.8°
25
9
O= . 360° = 129.6°
25
4
AB = . 360° = 57.6°
25

Dr.Shelan S.Ismaeel