Statistics

Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Mean ........................................................................................................................................ 2
3. Median ................................................................................................................................... 13
4. Mode ...................................................................................................................................... 21
5. Cumulative frequency Curve (Ogive) ................................................................................... 25

1. Introduction

In modern times, Statistics has a much wider meaning. It is considered as a science, which deals
with collection, representation, analysis, and interpretation of the data collected from the
surrounding.

Data: Collection of facts & figures.

Primary data: Data collected by investigator himself are called primary data. Eg., notes, lists.

Secondary data: When investigator does not himself collect the data, but he collects the data
from other sources. E.g., Published reports official statistics collected by the Government on
various facts.

Frequency Distribution: A tabular arrangement of data by classes together with the

corresponding frequencies is called a frequency distribution or a frequency table. e.g.

Marks 10 − 20 20 − 30 30 − 40 40 − 50 50 − 60 60 − 70

Frequency 5 4 6 7 3 5

Frequency: The number of observations in each class is called frequency of that class. In Table
the frequency of class 40 − 50 is 7

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Class-Intervals and Class Limits: In the frequency Table 20-30 is called "class-interval" and
the end numbers, 20 and 30 are called "class limits", the smaller number 20 is the lower-class
limit and the larger number 30 is the upper-class limit.

The size or width of a Class Interval: The size or width of a class-interval is the difference
between the lower- and upper-class boundaries.

e.g., size = 40 − 30 = 10

Class Mark: The class-mark is the mid-point of the class-interval. e.g., the class mark for the
30+40 70
interval 30 − 40 is = = 35.
2 2

Grouped data: The data (or information) given in the form of class intervals such as 0-20, 20-40 and so
on.

Ungrouped data: The data given as individual points (i.e., values or numbers) such as 15,63,34,20,25,
and so on.

Central tendency: A number or quantity which is typical or representative of a set of data is

called central tendency measure.

We generally observe that data of a variable tends to cluster around some central value. This
clustering of data around the central value is called central tendency. The measures of the central
tendency 𝑎𝑟𝑒:

1. Mean.
2. Median.
3. Mode.

2. Mean
Mean is the average of the given numbers and is calculated by dividing the sum of given numbers by the
total number of numbers.

Arithmetic Mean of Ungrouped Data:

Mean of ‘n’ number 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , 𝑥3 , …………. 𝑥𝑛 is given by
̅ = x1 +x2+x3+⋯+xn
X n

∑n
i=1 xi
= n

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Question: Find the mean of 6, 10, 0, 7, 9.
Solution: We know that the mean of five variates x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 is given by
𝑥1 +𝑥2 +𝑥3 +𝑥4 +𝑥5
A= 5
6+10+0+7+9
= 5
32
= 5

= 6.4

Arithmetic Mean of Grouped Data or Discrete Frequency Distribution

There are 3 methods to find the Mean of grouped data:
(i) Direct method
(ii) Short cut method
(iii) Step deviation method

(i) Direct method

Mean of ' n ' observations x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 … … … . . xn with frequencies f1 , f2 , f3 … … fn is given by
f x +f2 x2 +f3 x3 +⋯…….+fn xn
X‾ = 1 1 f +f
1 +f +⋯……..+f
2 3 n
n
∑ fx
X‾ = i=1N i i Where,

N = ∑ni=1 fi = f1 + f2 + ⋯ . +fn

Question: Find the mean of the following data:

Class interval Frequency

0–10 3
10–20 5
20–30 9
30–40 5
40–50 3

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Solution: We prepare the table as below:

Class interval Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Class Marks (𝒙𝒊 ) Product (𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊 )

0–10 3 5 15
10–20 5 15 75
20–30 9 25 225
30–40 5 35 175
40–50 3 45 135
Total ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 25 ∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 625

∑(𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 ) 625
Hence, mean (𝑥̅ ) = ∑ 𝑓𝑖
= = 25.
25

Question: The mean of the following distribution is 18. Find the frequency '𝑓' of the class 19-
21:

Class interval Frequency

11–13 3
13–15 6
15–17 9
17–19 13
19–21 𝑓
21–23 5
23–25 4

Solution: We prepare the table as below:

Class interval Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Class Marks (𝒙𝒊 ) Product (𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊 )

11–13 3 12 36
13–15 6 14 84
15–17 9 16 144
17–19 13 18 234

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 19–21 𝑓 20 20𝑓
21–23 5 22 110
23–25 4 24 96
Total ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = (40 + 𝑓) ∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 =
(704 + 20𝑓)

∑ 𝑓 𝑖 𝑥𝑖
∴ The mean = ∑ 𝑓𝑖

704+20𝑓
⇒ 18 =
40+𝑓

⇒ 720 + 18𝑓 = 704 + 20𝑓

⇒ 2𝑓 = 16.
Hence, 𝑓 = 8.

Question: Find the missing frequencies 𝑓1 and 𝑓2 in the table given below, it is being given that
the mean of the given frequency distribution is 50.

Class interval Frequency

0–20 17
20–40 𝑓1
40–60 32
60–80 𝑓2
80–100 19
Total 120

Solution: We prepare the table as below:

Class Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Class Marks Product (𝒇𝒊 𝒙𝒊 )

interval (𝒙𝒊 )
0–20 17 10 170
20–40 𝑓1 30 30𝑓1
40–60 32 50 1600
60–80 𝑓2 70 70𝑓2

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 80–100 19 90 1710
Total ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 68 + 𝑓1 + 𝑓2 ∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑥𝑖 = 3480 + 30𝑓1 + 70𝑓2
By the question,
68 + 𝑓1 + 𝑓2 = 120
⇒ 𝑓1 + 𝑓2 = 52 ……(1)
∑ 𝑓 𝑖 𝑥𝑖
and ∑ 𝑓𝑖
= 50
3480+30𝑓1 +70𝑓2
⇒ = 50
120

⇒ 3𝑓1 + 7𝑓2 = 252 ……(2)

From (1), 𝑓2 = 52 − 𝑓1 ……(3)
Putting in (2),
3𝑓1 + 7(52 − 𝑓1 ) = 252
⇒ 3𝑓1 + 364 − 7𝑓1 = 252
⇒ −4𝑓1 = 252 − 364
⇒ −4𝑓1 = −112
⇒ 𝑓1 = 28.
Putting in (3), 𝑓2 = 52 − 28 = 24.
Hence, 𝑓1 = 28 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓2 = 24.

(ii) Short cut method (assume mean method)

When the values of 𝑥𝑖 and 𝑓𝑖 are large, then the Direct Method is time consuming. In such cases
we prefer Short-Cut Method to find the mean.
Step (i): Prepare a column of class-marks (middle points), denoted by 𝑥𝑖 .
Step (ii): Select a suitable value of 𝑥𝑖 in the middle of ' 𝑥𝑖 column' as the assumed mean and
denote it by 𝑎. In case, there are two middle values of 𝑥𝑖 , take any one as 𝑎.
Step (iii): Prepare a column of deviations (𝑑𝑖 ) of the class-marks from the assumed mean 𝑎 such
that 𝑑𝑖 = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑎.
Step (iv): Calculate 𝑓𝑖 𝑑𝑖 for each class and hence find Σ𝑓𝑖 𝑑𝑖 .
𝚺𝒇𝒊 𝒅𝒊
Step (v): Use the formula, Mean = +a
𝚺𝒇𝒊

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Question: Find the mean of the following frequency distribution by Short-cut Method.
(Assumed mean method)

Class interval Frequency

0–10 4
10–20 4
20–30 7
30–40 20
40–50 12
50–60 8
60–70 5

Solution: We prepare the table as below:

Class interval Frequency Class Marks Deviations Product (𝒇𝒊 𝒅𝒊 )

(𝒇𝒊 ) (𝒙𝒊 )
𝒅𝒊 = 𝒙𝒊 − 𝟑𝟓
0–10 4 5 –30 –120
10–20 4 15 –20 –80
20–30 7 25 –10 –70
30–40 20 35 = a 0 0
40–50 12 45 10 120
50–60 8 55 20 160
60–70 5 65 30 150
Total ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 60 ∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑑𝑖 = 160

Let the assumed mean (a) be 35.

∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑑𝑖
Hence, Mean (𝑥̅ ) = 𝑎 + ∑ 𝑓𝑖

160
= 35 + = 35 + 2.66 = 37.66
60

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Question: Calculate arithmetic mean from the following data by Short-cut Method:

Class 20–25 25–30 30–35 35–40 40–45 45–50 50–55

Interval
Frequency 10 12 8 20 11 4 5

Solution:

Class Class Marks Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Deviations Product

Interval (𝒙𝒊 ) (𝒇𝒊 𝒅𝒊 )
𝒅𝒊 = 𝒙𝒊 − 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓
20–25 22.5 10 –15 –150
25–30 27.5 12 –10 –120
30–35 32.5 8 –5 –40
35–40 37.5 = A 20 0 0
40–45 42.5 11 5 55
45–50 47.5 4 10 40
50–55 52.5 5 15 75
∑ 𝑓 = 70 ∑ 𝑓𝑑 = −140

Here, the assumed mean is decided from the mid-points. Let us take 37.5 as the assumed
mean. So, we calculate the deviations of the mid-values from 37.5
∑ 𝑓𝑑
𝑋̅ = 𝐴 + ∑ 𝑓

Here, A represents the assumed mean

d represents the deviation of the mid – values from the assumed mean
−140
𝑋̅ = 37.5 + ( 70 )

Or, 𝑋̅ = 37.5 − 2 = 35.5

Hence, the mean of the series is 35.5

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(iii) Step Deviation Method
Since this method is the extension of the assumed mean method, the formula is:
(∑ 𝒖𝒊 𝒇𝒊 )
Step Deviation of Mean = 𝐀 + 𝐡{ ∑ 𝒇𝒊
},

Where,
• A is the assumed mean
• h is the class size
• 𝑢𝑖 = 𝑑𝑖 /ℎ
• 𝑓𝑖 is the frequency
• 𝑑𝑖 = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝐴
• 𝑥𝑖 is the midpoint of the class interval

Question: Find the mean of the following using the step-deviation method.

Class 0–10 10–20 20–30 30–40 40–50 50–60 60–70 Total

Intervals
Frequency 4 4 7 10 12 8 5 50
Solution:

C.I. 𝐱𝐢 𝐟𝐢 𝒙𝒊 − 𝟑𝟓 𝐟𝐢 𝐮𝐢
𝐮𝐢 = 𝒖𝒊 =
𝟏𝟎
0–10 5 4 –3 – 12
10–20 15 4 –2 –8
20–30 25 7 –1 –7
30–40 35=A 10 0 0
40–50 45 12 1 12
50–60 55 8 2 16
60–70 65 5 3 15
Total ∑ fi = 50 ∑ fi ui = 16

Using mean formula:

∑ 𝑥𝑖 𝑢 𝑖 16
𝑥‾ = 𝐴 + ℎ × ∑ 𝑢𝑖
= 35 + (50) × 10 = 35 + 3.2 = 38.2

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Question: Find the mean of the following frequency distribution using step-deviation method

Class 0–10 10–20 20–30 30–40 40–50

Frequency 7 10 15 8 10

𝑥𝑖 −25
Solution: Let us choose a = 25, h = 10, then 𝑑𝑖 = 𝑥𝑖 − 25 and 𝑢𝑖 = 10

Using step-deviation method, the given data is shown as follows:

Class Frequency Class mark 𝒅𝒊 𝒙𝒊 − 𝟐𝟓 (𝒇𝒊 𝒖𝒊 )

(𝒙𝒊 ) 𝒖𝒊 =
(𝒇𝒊 ) = 𝒙𝒊 − 𝟐𝟓 𝟏𝟎
0–10 7 5 –20 –2 –14
10–20 10 15 –10 –1 –10
20–30 15 25=A 0 0 0
30–40 8 35 10 1 8
40–50 10 45 20 2 20
Total ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 50 ∑ 𝑓𝑖 𝑢𝑖 = 4
The mean of the data is given by,
𝑥̅ = 𝐴 + ℎ × ∑ 𝑥𝑖 𝑢𝑖 / ∑ 𝑢𝑖
4
= 25 + 50 × 10
4
= 25 + 5
125+4
= 5
129
= 5

= 25.8
Thus, the mean is 25.8

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Question: Find the mean marks of students from the following cumulative frequency
distribution:

Marks Number of students

0 and above 80
10 and above 77
20 and above 72
30 and above 65
40 and above 55
50 and above 43
60 and above 28
70 and above 16
80 and above 10
90 and above 8
100 and above 0

Solution: Here we have, the cumulative frequency distribution. So, first we convert it into an ordinary
frequency distribution. we observe that are 80 students getting marks greater than or equal to 0 and 77
students have secured 10 and more marks. Therefore, the number of students getting marks between 0
and 10 is 80-77= 3.

Similarly, the number of students getting marks between 10 and 20 is 77-72= 5 and so on. Thus, we
obtain the following frequency distribution.

Marks Number of students

0 and above 80
10 and above 77
20 and above 72
30 and above 65
40 and above 55
50 and above 43
60 and above 28

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 70 and above 16
80 and above 10
90 and above 8
100 and above 0

Computation of Mean

Marks (𝐱 𝐢 ) Class mark Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) 𝐱 𝐢 − 𝟓𝟓 𝐟𝐢 𝐮𝐢

(𝒙𝒊 ) 𝐮𝐢
𝟏𝟎
0–10 5 3 –5 –15
10–20 15 5 –4 –20
20–30 25 7 –3 –21
30–40 35 10 –2 –20
40–50 45 12 –1 –12
50–60 55 15 0 0
60–70 65 12 1 12
70–80 75 6 2 12
80–90 85 2 3 6
90–100 95 8 4 32
Total ∑ fi = 80 ∑ fi ui = −26
We have, 55 as the assumed mean.
N = ∑ fi = 80, ∑ fi ui = −26, A = 55 and h = 10
1
̅ = A + h [ ∑ fi ui ]
∴X N
1
⇒̅
X = A + h [ ∑ fi ui ]
N
−26
⇒̅
X = 55 + 10 × = 51.75 Marks.
80

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3. Median
Median is the value of middle term of a series arranged in ascending or descending order of
magnitudes.
(i) Median of Ungrouped Data
𝐧+𝟏 𝐭𝐡
(a) If n is odd, the median = ( ) term
𝟐

(b) If n even, there are two middle terms.

n th n th
i.e., (2) term & (2 + 1) term
𝐧 𝐭𝐡 𝐧 𝐭𝐡
( ) 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦+( +𝟏) 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦
𝟐 𝟐
median = 𝟐

Question: The heights (in cm ) of 11 players of a team are as follows. Find Median.
160, 158, 158, 159, 160, 160, 162, 165, 166, 167, 170
Solution: Arranging the variates in the ascending order, we get
158,158,159,160,160,160,162,165,166,167,170.
The number of variates = 11, which is odd.
11+1
Therefore, median = th variate = 6th variate = 160.
2

Question: Find the median of marks obtained by the students. 6, 8, 7, 6, 9, 10, 9, 7, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6,

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8.

Solution: Arranging the variates in ascending order, we get

6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10.
The number of variates = 20, which is even.
20 20 𝑡ℎ
Therefore, median = mean of th and ( 2 + 1) variate
2

= mean of 10th and 11th variate

= mean of 7 and 7
7+7
= 2

= 7.

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(ii) Median of Grouped Data
Type 1
Step (i): Arrange the data in ascending order along with their frequencies.
Step (ii): Add a column of cumulative frequency.
N+1
Step (iii): When the total frequency ' N ' is odd, then median is ( ) th observation.
2
N
Step (iv): When the total frequency ' N′ is even, then median is the average of ( 2 ) th and
N
( 2 + 1) th observations.

Question: Find the median of the following data.

𝐱𝐢 𝐟𝐢
15 3
21 5
27 6
30 7
35 8

Solution: Here, the given data in the ascending order along with, cumulative frequency column
is as below:

𝒙𝒊 𝒇𝒊 𝒄𝒇𝒊
15 3 3
21 5 3+5=8
27 6 8 + 6 = 14
30 7 14 + 7 = 21
35 8 21 + 8 = 29
Total N = 29

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 Here, N = 29, which is odd.
N+1
∴ Median = ( ) th observation
2
29+1
=( ) th 𝑖. 𝑒., 15th observation.
2

But 15th observation lies in c.f. 21, which corresponds to 30

Hence, the required median = 30.

Type 2
N
Step (i): Find cumulative frequencies of all classes and 2 .

Step (ii): Median class is obtained as the class whose cumulative frequency is greater than or
N N
equal to i.e., Median class = Class, which corresponds to ( 2 ) th observation.
2

Step (iii): Use the formula to find the median:

𝐍 𝐍
( −𝐂) ( −𝒄.𝒇.)
𝟐 𝟐
Median = 𝒍 + × 𝒉 or 𝒍 + × 𝒉,
𝒇 𝒇

where 𝑙 = lower limit of median class

𝑓 = frequency of median class
ℎ = width of each class
N = Number of observations
and 𝐶 or 𝑐. 𝑓. = Cumulative frequency of class preceding the median class

Question: Find the median daily wages from the following frequency distribution:

Daily wages (in Rs.) Number of workers

100–150 6
150–200 3
200–250 5
250–300 20
300–350 10

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Solution: The cumulative frequency table is as below:

Class interval Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Cumulative

frequency (𝒄. 𝒇. )
100–150 6 6
150–200 3 9
200–250 5 14
250–300 20 34
300–350 10 44
Total N = ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 44

N
We have: N = 44 so that = 22.
2

The cumulative frequency just greater than 22 is 34, which corresponds to the class 250 –
300.
Thus, median class is 250 – 300.
Here, 𝑙 = 250, 𝑓 = 20, ℎ = 50, 𝑁 = 44
and 𝐶 = 14.
𝑁
−𝐶
2
∴ Median = 𝑙 + ×ℎ
𝑓
22−14
= 250 + × 50 = 250 + 20 = 270.
20

Hence, the median wages are Rs. 270.

Question: Find the median of the following data:

Class interval 0–10 10–20 20–30 30–40 40–50 Total

Frequency 8 16 36 34 6 100

Solution: To find the median let us put the data in the table given below:

Class interval Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Cumulative

frequency (𝒄𝒇𝒊 )
0–10 8 8

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 10–20 16 24
20–30 36 60
30–40 34 94
40–50 6 100
Total N = ∑ 𝑓𝑖 = 100

Now,
N = 100
N
⇒ = 50.
2

The cumulative frequency just greater than 50 is 60, and the corresponding class is 20–
30.
Thus, the median class is 20–30.
∴ I = 20, h = 10, N = 100, f = 36 and c.f. = 24.
Now,
N
−cf
2
Median = I + ×h
f
50−24
= 20 + × 10
36
260
= 20 + 36

= 27.22
Thus, the median is 27.22.

Question: The median of the following data is 525.

Find the values of ‘x’ and ‘y’ if the total frequency is 100.

Class-interval Frequency
0–100 2
100–200 5
200–300 𝑥
300–400 12
400–500 17

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 500–600 20
600–700 𝑦
700–800 9
800 – 900 7
900–1000 4
Total 100

Solution: The cumulative frequency table is as below:

Class-interval Frequency (𝒇𝒊 ) Cumulative

frequency (𝒄. 𝒇. )
0–100 2 2
100–200 5 7
200–300 x 7+x
300–400 12 19 + x
400–500 17 36 + x
500–600 20 56 + x
600–700 y 56 + x + y
700–800 9 65 + x + y
800–900 7 72 + x + y
900–1000 4 76 + x + y
Total N = ∑ 𝒇𝒊 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎
N
We have: N = 100 so that = 50.
2

Since median is 525,

∴ it lies in the interval 500 – 600
Thus, 𝑙 = 500, 𝑓 = 20, ℎ = 100, N = 100 and C = 36 + 𝑥.
N
−C
∴ Median = 𝑙 + 2 𝑓 × ℎ
50−(36−𝑥)
⇒ 525 = 500 + × 100
20

⇒ 25 = (14 − 𝑥) × 5

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 ⇒ 5 = 14 − 𝑥
⇒ 𝑥 = 9.
Now, N = 100
⇒ 76 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 100
⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 24
⇒ 9 + 𝑦 = 24
⇒ 𝑦 = 15.
Hence, x = 9 and y = 15.

Question: The lengths of 40 leaves of a plant are measured correct to the nearest millimetre, and
the data obtained is represented in the following table:

Length (in mm) Number of leaves

118–126 3
127–135 5
136–144 9
145–153 12
154–162 5
163–171 4
172–180 2
Find the median length of the leaves.

Solution: The data needs to be converted to continuous classes for finding the median, since the
formula assumes continuous classes. The classes then change
(117.5−126.5,126.5−135.5,...,171.5−180.5)

Class interval Frequency Cumulative

frequency
117.5–126.5 3 3
126.5–135.5 5 8
135.5–144.5 9 17
144.5–153.5 12 29

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 153.5–162.5 5 34
162.5–171.5 4 38
171.5–180.5 2 40
n = 40
𝑛 40
∵ 𝑛 = 40 ∴ = = 20.
2 2

Since 12 is the maximum frequency, so the median class is (144.5 – 153.5).

Here, 𝑙 = 144.5, 𝑓 = 12, 𝑐𝑓 = 17 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ = 9
𝑛
−𝑐𝑓
∴ Median = 𝑙 + ( 2 𝑓 ) × ℎ

20–17
= 144.5 + ( )×9
12
9
= 144.5 + 4

= 144.5 + 2.25 = 146.75 mm.

Hence, the median length of leaves is 146.75 mm.

Question: A life insurance agent found the following data for the distribution of ages
of 100 policy holders. Calculate the median age, if policies are only given to persons having
age 18 years on wards but less than 60 years.

Age in years Number of

policy holders
Below 20 2
Below 25 6
Below 30 24
Below 35 45
Below 40 78
Below 45 89
Below 50 92
Below 55 98
Below 60 100

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Solution:

Class interval Frequency Cumulative

frequency
15–20 2 2
20–25 4 6
25–30 18 24
30–35 21 45
35–40 33 78
40–45 11 89
45–50 3 92
50–55 6 98
55–60 2 100
N
⇒ N = 100 then, = 50
2

The cumulative frequency just greater than 50 is 78.

∴ Median class = 35 – 40
Here, l = 35, h = 5, f = 33, c.f. = 45
N
−cf 50−45
2
Median = l + × h = 35 + × 5 = 35.76
f 33

4. Mode
(i) Mode of Ungrouped Data
Mode: It is value of variate which occurs most often.

Question: The wickets taken by a bowler in 10 cricket matches are as below:

2, 6, 4, 5, 0, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3.
Find the mode of the data.
Solution: We prepare the frequency distribution table of the given data as below:

Number of wickets 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of matches 1 1 3 2 1 1 1

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 Clearly, 2 is the number of wickets, which are taken by the bowler in the maximum
number of matches i.e., 3.
Hence, the mode of the data is 2.

(ii) Mode of Grouped Data

In the grouped frequency distribution, it is not possible to look the frequencies and determine the
mode. Here, we can only locate a class having maximum frequency, called the modal class.
Step (i): Mode: It is that value of the variate, which occurs so often.
Step (ii): Modal class: In a frequency distribution, the class having the maximum frequency is
called the modal-class.
Step (iii): Formula for Calculating Mode: Mode is the value, which is given by the formula:
𝒇𝟏 −𝒇𝟎
Mode = 𝒍 + (𝟐𝒇 ) × 𝒉,
𝟏 −𝒇𝟎 −𝒇𝟐

Where 𝑙 = lower limit of the modal class

h = size of the modal class interval (assuming class sizes being equal)
𝑓1 = frequency of modal class
𝑓0 = frequency of the class preceding the modal class
And 𝑓2 = frequency of the class succeeding the modal class.

Question: For the following data, find mode.

Class Frequency
25–30 12
30–35 6
35–40 14
40–45 8
45–50 9

Solution: Since, the maximum frequency = 14 and the class corresponding to this frequency is
35–40.
So, the modal class is 35–40.
Here, 𝑙 = 35, 𝑓1 = 14, 𝑓0 = 6, 𝑓2 = 8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ = 5.

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 𝑓 −𝑓
1 0 14−6
∴ Mode = 𝑙 + 2𝑓 −𝑓 × ℎ = 35 + 28−6−8 × 5
1 −𝑓 0 2

40
= 35 + 14 = 35 + 2.85 = 37.85.

Hence, the mode of given data = 37.85.

Question: The following table shows the marks obtained by 100 students of class X in a school
during a particular academic session. Find the mode of this distribution.

Marks No. of students

Less than 10 7
Less than 20 21
Less than 30 34
Less than 40 46
Less than 50 66
Less than 60 77
Less than 70 92
Less than 80 100

Solution: Frequency distribution table:

CI fi c.fi
0–10 7 7
10–20 21 – 7 = 14 21
20–30 34 – 21 = 13 34
30–40 46 – 24 = 12 46
40–50 66 – 45 = 20 66
50–60 77 – 66 = 11 77
60–70 92 – 77 = 15 92
70–80 100 – 92 = 8 100

The class (40–50) has maximum frequency i.e., 20 therefore, modal class is 40–45.

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 f = 20
Now, I = 40, h = 10, f1 = 20, f2 = 11 and f0 = 12
f1 −f0
∴ Mode = 𝐼 + 2f ×h
1 −f0 −f2

20−12
⇒ Mode = 40 + 2(20)−12−11 × 10
8
⇒ Mode = 40 + 40−12−11 × 10
8
⇒ Mode = 40 + 17 × 10
80
⇒ Mode = 40 +
17

⇒ Mode = 40 + 4.70
⇒ Mode = 44.70

Question: If the mode of the following distribution is 57.5, find the value of ‘x’.

Class interval Frequency

30–40 6
40–50 10
50–60 16
60–70 x
70–80 10
80–90 5
90–100 2

Solution: Here, mode = 57.5, which lies between 50 and 60.

∴ Modal class = 50–60.
We have: 𝑙 = 50, 𝑓1 = 16, 𝑓0 = 10, 𝑓2 = 𝑥
And ℎ = 10.
𝑓 −𝑓
1 0
∴ Mode = 𝑙 + 2𝑓 −𝑓 ×ℎ
1−𝑓 0 2

16−10
⇒ 57.5 = 50 + 32−10−𝑥 × 10
60
⇒ 57.5 = 50 + 22−𝑥
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 60
⇒ 57.5 – 50 = 22−𝑥
60
⇒ 7.5 = 22–𝑥

⇒ 165 – 7.5x = 60
⇒ 7.5x = 165 – 60
⇒ 7.5x = 105
105
Hence, 𝑥 = = 14.
7.5

The empirical relationship between the three measures of central tendency in asymmetrical
distribution is:

3 Median = Mode +𝟐 Mean

In case of symmetrical distribution

Mean = Mode = Median.

5. Cumulative frequency Curve (Ogive)

An ogive is the graphical representation of cumulative frequency distribution. We can construct
two types of ogives. The first form is "less than ogive" and the second is "more than ogive".
In the "less than" method we start with the upper limit of the classes and go on adding the
frequencies. When these are plotted, we get a rising curve.
In the "more than" method we start with the lower limit of the classes and from the total
frequencies we subtract the frequency of each class. When these are plotted, we get declining
curve.
There are two methods to draw cumulative frequency polygons or cumulative frequency curves
(an ogive).
(i) Less than Type
(ii) More than Type.

Less than Type

For constructing cumulative frequency polygon or cumulative frequency curve (ogive), we have
the following guidance:

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Step (i): Mark the upper-class limits on the 𝑥-axis on a suitable scale.
Step (ii): Mark the corresponding cumulative frequencies on the 𝑦-axis on a suitable scale.
Scale may be different on both axes.
Step (iii): Plot the points (𝑥𝑖 ′ 𝑓𝑖 ), where 𝑥𝑖 is the upper limit of a class and 𝑓𝑖 ′ is the
corresponding cumulative frequency.
Step (iv): (a) Joining these points successively by line segments, we get cumulative frequency
polygon.
(b) Joining these points successively by a free hand smooth curve, we get cumulative frequency
curve or an ogive.

Question: Draw the cumulative frequency polygon and cumulative frequency curve (ogive) for
the following frequency distribution by less than type method:

Marks obtained 0–10 10–20 20–30 30–40 40–50 50–60

No. of students 5 10 25 50 6 4

Solution: The cumulative frequency distribution table by less than type is as below:

Marks Number of Marks less than Cumulative

obtained students(𝒇𝒊 ) frequency (𝒄. 𝒇. )
0–10 5 10 5
10–20 10 20 15
20–30 25 30 40
30–40 50 40 90
40–50 6 50 96
50–60 4 60 100
Marking upper class limits on x-axis on a suitable scale and cumulative frequency on y-
axis on a suitable scale, we plot the points:
(10, 5), (20, 15), (30, 40), (40, 90), (50, 96) and (60, 100)
(i) Joining the above points by line segments, the cumulative frequency polygon is as
shown alongside:

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More than Type
For constructing cumulative frequency polygon or cumulative frequency curve (ogive), we have
the following guidance:
Step (i): Mark the lower-class limits on the 𝑥-axis on a suitable scale.
Step (ii): Mark the corresponding cumulative frequencies on the 𝑦-axis on a suitable scale.
Scale may be different on both axes.
Step (iii): Plot the points (𝑥𝑖 ′ 𝑓𝑖 ), where 𝑥𝑖 is the lower limit of a class and 𝑓𝑖 ′ , is the
corresponding cumulative frequency.

Step (iv): (a) Joining these points successively by line segments, we get cumulative frequency
polygon.
(b) Joining these points successively by a free hand smooth curve, we get cumulative frequency
curve or an ogive.

Question: Draw a ‘more than ogive’ from the following distribution.

Marks obtained 0–9 10–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59

No. of 4 6 7 5 10 3
candidate’s

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Solution: We write the given distribution using actual limits as under:

Marks obtained -0.5–9.5 9.5–19.5 19.5– 29.5– 39.5– 49.5–

29.5 39.5 49.5 59.5
No. of 4 6 7 5 10 3
candidate’s

For “more than ogive” we convert it to cumulative frequency distribution as under

Marks Frequency Plotting Points

-0.5 or more 35 (–0.5, 35)
9.5 or more 31 (9.5, 31)
19.5 or more 25 (19.5, 25)
29.5 or more 18 (29.5, 18)
39.5 or more 13 (39.5,13)
49.5 or more 3 (49.5, 3)
More than 49.5 0 (59.5, 0)

Question: During the medical check-up of 35 students of a class their weights are recorded as
follows:

Weight (in kg) 38–40 40–42 42–44 44–46 46–48 48–50 50–52
Number of 3 2 4 5 14 4 3
students

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Draw a less than type and more than type ogive from given data. Hence, obtain the median
weight from the graph.
Solution: Here, less than type distribution table is as below:

Weight (in kg) Number of students

Less than 40 3
Less than 42 5
Less than 44 9
Less than 46 14
Less than 48 28
Less than 50 32
Less than 52 35

Scale: 5 small divisions on x-axis = 1 kg

10 small divisions on y-axis = 5 students.
Plot the points (40, 3), (42, 5), (44, 9), (46, 14) (48, 28), (50, 32) and (52, 35).
Joining these points by a free hand curve, the less than ogive is shown.
(ii) More Than Type
Here, more than type distribution table is as below:

Weight (in kg) Number of students

More than 38 35
More than 40 32
More than 42 30
More than 44 26
More than 46 21
More than 48 7
More than 50 3

Scale: Same as in part (i).

Plot the points (38, 35), (40, 32), (42, 30), (44, 26), (46, 21), (48, 7) and (50, 3).

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 Joining these points by a free hand curve, more than ogive is shown.

These two ogives intersect at P.

Draw PM perpendicular on OX.
Hence, median weight = OM = 46.4 kg.

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