Chapter 13 – Statistical Description of Data

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History of Statistics
Language Word
Latin status
Italian statista
German statistic
French statistique

Exercise – Set A – Question 1

Which of the following statements is false?
(a) Statistics is derived from the Latin word ‘Status’
(b) Statistics is derived from the Italian word ‘Statista’
(c) Statistics is derived from the French word ‘Statistik’
(d) None of these

Solution (c)

Definition of Statistics

Definition of Statistics

Singular Plural
Scientific Method employed for Data qualitative as well as
collecting, analyzing and quantitative, that are collected,
presenting data, finally leading usually with a view of having
to drawing statistical inferences statistical analysis

Exercise – Set A – Question 4

Statistics is concerned with:
(a) Qualitative information (b) Qualitative information
(c) (a) or (b) (d) Both (a) and (b)

Solution (d)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 2
Statistics is defined in terms of numerical data in the:
(a) Singular Sense (b) Plural Sense
(c) Either (a) or (b) (d) Both (a) and (b)

Solution (b)

Application of Statistics

Applications of Statistics
Business Commerce and
Economics
Management Industry
Exercise – Set A – Question 3
Statistics is applied in:
(a) Economics (b) Business Management
(c) Commerce and Industry (d) All these

Solution (d)

Data
Data

Qualitative Quantitative

Attribute Variable

Discrete Continuous

Countably Infinite Can assume any value

Finite Values
Isolated Values in a given interval

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 Variable
Discrete Continuous
• No. of Petals in a Flower • Height
• No. of Misprint a Book contains • Weight
• No. of Road Accidents in a particular locality • Sale
• Profit
Attribute
• Gender of a Baby
• Nationality of a Person
• Colour of a Flower

Exercise – Set A – Question 5

An attribute is:
(a) A Qualitative Characteristic
(b) A Quantitative Characteristic
(c) A Measurable Characteristic
(d) All these

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 8

Nationality of a student is:
(a) An attribute (b) A continuous variable
(c) A discrete variable (d) (a) or (c)

Solution
(a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 9

Drinking habit of a person is:
(a) An attribute (b) A variable
(c) A discrete variable (d) A continuous variable

Solution
(a)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 7
Marks of a student is an example of
(a) An attribute (b) A discrete variable
(c) A continuous variable (d) None of these

Solution
(b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 6

Annual income of a person is
(a) An attribute (b) A discrete variable
(c) A continuous variable (d) (a) or (c)

Solution
(b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 10

Age of a person is
(a) An attribute (b) A discrete variable
(c) A continuous variable (d) A variable

Solution
(c)

Statistical Description of Data

Statistical Description of Data

Graphical
Collection of Presentation of Frequency Representation
Data Data Distribution of Frequency
Distribution

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 Data
Classification Collection of Primary Data

Questionnaires
Mailed
Primary Secondary Interview Observation filled and sent
Questionnaire
by Enumerators

Primary Data and Secondary Data

• The data which is collected for the first time by someone is known as Primary Data.
• This data, when used by someone else, is known as the Secondary Data.
• For example, if I make a list of the marks that you all obtain in the quiz today, that would
be Primary Data for me.
• However, if Anshul Sir, uses this list to find out the average marks scored by the class,
it would be Secondary Data for Anshul Sir.

Collection of Primary Data

Mailed Questionnaires
Interview Observation
Questionnaire filled and sent
Method Method
Method by Enumerators

Interview Method
Personal Indirect Interview Telephone
Interview Method Method Interview Method

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Personal Interview Method
• In personal interview method, the investigator meets the respondents directly and
collects the required information then and there from them.
• In case of a natural calamity like a super cyclone or an earthquake or an epidemic like
plague, we may collect the necessary data much more quickly and accurately by
applying this method.

Interview Method
• When there are some practical problems in reaching the respondents directly, (for e.g.
in case of a rail accident), then we may take recourse for conducting Indirect Interview.
• In an indirect interview, the investigator collects the necessary information from the
persons associated with the problems.

Telephone Interview Method

• Telephone interview method is a quick and rather non-expensive way to collect the
primary data.
• The relevant information can be gathered by the researcher himself by contacting the
interviewee over the phone.

Analysis of 3 Interview Methods

• The first two methods, though more accurate, are inapplicable for covering a large area
whereas the telephone interview, though less consistent, has a wide coverage.
• The amount of non-responses is maximum for this third method of data collection.

Mailed Questionnaire Method

• In this method, a well-drafted and soundly-sequenced questionnaire is framed which
covers all the important aspects of the problem under consideration.
• This questionnaire is then sent to the respondents.
• Although a wide area can be covered using the mailed questionnaire method, the amount
of non-responses is likely to be maximum in this method.

Observation Method
• In observation method, data are collected, as in the case of obtaining the data on the
height and weight of a group of students, by direct observation or using instrument.
• Although this is likely to be the best method for data collection, it is time consuming,
laborious and covers only a small area.

Questionnaires Filled and sent by Enumerators

• Enumerator is a person appointed by someone to collect the data.
• The enumerators contact the informants, get replies to the questions contained in a
schedule and fill them in their own handwriting in the questionnaire form.
• There is a difference between the questionnaire and schedule.

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 • Questionnaire refers to a device for securing answers to questions by using a form which
the respondent fills in himself, whereas schedule is the name usually applied to a set of
questions which are asked in a face-to-face situation with another person.

Sources of Secondary Data

• International sources like WHO, ILO, IMF, World Bank etc.
• Government sources like Statistical Abstract by CSO, Indian Agricultural Statistics by
the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and so on.
• Private and quasi-government sources like ISI, ICAR, NCERT etc.
• Unpublished sources of various research institutes, researchers etc
Exercise – Set A – Question 12
The data collected on the height of a group of students after recording their heights with a
measuring tape are
(a) Primary Data (b) Secondary Data
(c) Discrete Data (d) Continuous Data

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 13

The primary data are collected by
(a) Interview Method (b) Observation Method
(c) Questionnaire Method (d) All these

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 14

The quickest method to collect primary data is
(a) Personal Interview (b) Indirect Interview
(c) Telephone Interview (d) By observation

Solution (c)

Exercise – Set A – Question 15

The best method to collect data, in case of a natural calamity, is
(a) Personal Interview (b) Indirect Interview
(c) Questionnaire Method (d) Direct Observation Method

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Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 16

In case of a rail accident, the appropriate method of data collection is by:
(a) Personal Interview (b) Direct Interview
(c) Indirect Interview (d) All these

Solution (c)

Exercise – Set A – Question 17

Which method of data collection covers the widest area?
(a) Telephone Interview Method
(b) Mailed Questionnaire Method
(c) Direct Interview Method
(d) All these

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 18

The amount of non-responses is maximum in
(a) Mailed Questionnaire Method (b) Interview Method
(c) Observation Method (d) All these

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 11

Data collected on religion from the census reports are
(a) Primary Data (b) Secondary Data
(c) Sample Data (d) (a) or (b)

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 19

Some important sources of secondary data are

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 (a) International and Government Sources
(b) International and primary sources
(c) Private and primary sources
(d) Government sources.

Solution (a)

Scrutiny of Data
• After the data is collected, it is to be ensured that the data collected is accurate as well
as consistent.
• There is no hard and fast rule for scrutiny of data.
• One must apply his intelligence, patience, and experience while scrutinizing data.
• Internal Consistency
o Sometimes, there may be two or more series of data which may be related to
each other.
o In such a case, if the data for all the series is present, then they can be checked
for internal consistency.
o For example, if the data for Area, Population, and Density for certain places are
given, then this can be checked by applying the following relation:
o Density=Area/Population
Exercise – Set A – Question 20
Internal consistency of the collected data can be checked when
(a) Internal data are given
(b) External data are given
(c) Two or more series are given
(d) A number of related series are given

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 21

The accuracy and consistency of data can be verified by:
(a) Internal checking (b) External checking
(c) Scrutiny (d) Both (a) and (b)

Solution (c)

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Presentation of Data

Presentation of Data

Textual Tabular Diagramatic

Textual Presentation
When the data is presented in form of a paragraph, it is said to be textual presentation.

Tabular Presentation
Following is an example of tabular presentation of the data:
Status Member of TU Non-Member Total
Year M F T M F T M F T
(1) (2) (3) = (1) + (4) (5) (6) = (4) + (7) (8) (9) = (7) +
(2) (5) (8)
2009 3900 300 4200 300 500 800 4200 800 5000
2010 4200 840 5040 500 450 950 4700 1290 5990
Footnote
Source:
TU, M, F and T stand for trade union, male, female and total respectively.
• The table under consideration should be divided into caption, Box-head, Stub and Body.
• Caption is the upper part of the table, describing the columns and sub-columns, if any.
• The Box-head is the entire upper part of the table which includes columns and sub-
column numbers, unit(s) of measurement along with caption.
• Stub is the left part of the table providing the description of the rows.
• The body is the main part of the table that contains the numerical figures.
• The data must be arranged in a table in such a way that comparison(s) between different
figures are made possible without much labour and time.
• Also the row totals, column totals, the units of measurement must be shown.
• Notes describing the source of the data and bringing clarity and, if necessary, about any
rows or columns known as footnotes, should be shown at the bottom part of the table.

Exercise – Set A – Question 22

The mode of presentation of data are
(a) Textual, tabulation and diagrammatic
(b) Tabular, internal and external
(c) Textual, tabular and internal

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 (d) Tabular, textual and external

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 25

For tabulation, ‘caption’ is:
(a) The upper part of the table
(b) The lower part of the table
(c) The main part of the table
(d) The upper part of a table that describes the column and sub-column

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 26

‘Stub’ of a table is the:
(a) Left part of the table describing the columns
(b) Right part of the table describing the columns
(c) Right part of the table describing the rows
(d) Left part of the table describing the rows

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 27

The entire upper part of a table is known as
(a) Caption (b) Stub (c) Box Head (d) Body

Solution (c)

Exercise – Set A – Question 28

The unit of measurement in tabulation is shown in
(a) Box Head (b) Body (c) Caption (d) Stub

Solution (a)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 29
In tabulation source of the data, if any, is shown in the
(a) Footnote (b) Body (c) Stub (d) Caption

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 30

Which of the following statements is untrue for tabulation?
(a) Statistical analysis of data requires tabulation
(b) It facilitates comparison between rows and not columns
(c) Complicated data can be presented
(d) Diagrammatic representation of data requires tabulation

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 33

The most accurate mode of data presentation is
(a) Diagrammatic Method (b) Tabulation
(c) Textual Presentation (d) None of these

Solution (b)

Diagrammatic Representation

Diagrammatic Representation
Line Diagram or
Bar Diagram Pie Chart
Historiagram

Line Diagram or Historiagram

• When the data vary over time, we take recourse to line diagram.
• In a simple line diagram, we plot each pair of values of (t, yt), yt representing the time
series at the time point t in the t–yt plane.
• The plotted points are then joined successively by line segments and the resulting chart
is known as line-diagram.

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 • When the time series exhibit a wide range of fluctuations, we may think of logarithmic
or ratio chart where log yt and not yt is plotted against t.
• We use Multiple line chart for representing two or more related time series data
expressed in the same unit.
• We use multiple – axis chart in somewhat similar situations if the variables are
expressed in different units.

Example:
The profits in lakhs of Rupees of an industrial house for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
and 2015 are 5, 8, 9, 6, 12, 15 and 24 respectively. Represent these data using a suitable diagram.

30 24
Profit (in Lakh Rupees)

20 15
12
8 9
10 5 6

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Time

Example:
Year Production in metric tonnes
Wheat Rice
2012 12 25
2013 15 30
2014 18 32
2015 19 36
60 32 36
Production (in Metric Tonnes)

50 30
25
40
30 19
15 18
20 12
10
0
2012 2013 2014 2015
Year

Wheat Rice

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Exercise – Set A – Question 34
The chart that uses logarithm of the variable is known as:
(a) Line Chart (b) Ratio Chart
(c) Multiple Line Chart (d) Component Line Chart

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 35

Multiple line chart is applied for:
(a) Showing multiple charts
(b) Two or more related time series when the variables are expressed in the same unit
(c) Two or more related time series when the variables are expressed in different unit
(d) Multiple variations in the time series

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 36

Multiple axis line chart is considered when:
(a) There is more than one time series
(b) The units of the variables are different
(c) (a) or (b)
(d) (a) and (b)

Solution (d)

Bar Diagram
• There are two types of bar diagrams namely, Horizontal Bar diagram and Vertical Bar
diagram.
• While horizontal bar diagram is used for qualitative data or data varying over space, the
vertical bar diagram is associated with quantitative data or time series data.
• Bars i.e. rectangles of equal width and usually of varying lengths are drawn either
horizontally or vertically.

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 Bar Diagram

Horizontal Vertical
For Qualitative For Quantitative For Time Series
For Spatial Data
Data Data Data

Example:
The profits in lakhs of Rupees of an industrial house for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
and 2015 are 5, 8, 9, 6, 12, 15 and 24 respectively. Represent these data using a suitable diagram.

30
Profit (in Lakh Rupees)

24
25
20
15
15 12
8 9
10 6
5
5
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Time

Green
Favourite Colour

Blue

Yellow

Red

0 5 10 15 20 25
No. of Students

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Types of Bar Diagrams
• Multiple or Grouped Bar Diagrams: These are used to compare related series.
• Component or Sub-Divided Bar Diagrams: These are applied for representing data
divided into a number of components.
• Divided Bar Charts or Percentage Bar Diagrams: These are used for comparing different
components of a variable and also the relating of the components to whole. For this
situation, we may also use Pie Chart, or Pie Diagram, or Circle Diagram.

Types of Bar Diagrams

Component
Mutiple or
or Sub- Divided or Percentage
Grouped
Divided

For representing
For comparing Relating of the
To Compare data divided into
different components as a
Related Series number of
components whole
components

Example:
Year Production in metric tonnes
Wheat Rice
2012 12 25
2013 15 30
2014 18 32
2015 19 36

40 36
30 32
Production (in Metric

30 25
18 19
20 15
Tonnes)

12
10
0
2012 2013 2014 2015
Year

Wheat Rice

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 60
Production (in Metric
40 36
30 32
Tonnes)

20 25

12 15 18 19
0
2012 2013 2014 2015
Year

Wheat Rice

100%
Production (in Metric

80%
60% 25 30 32 36
Tonnes)

40%
20% 12 15 18 19
0%
2012 2013 2014 2015
Year

Wheat Rice

Exercise – Set A – Question 37

Horizontal bar diagram is used for
(a) Qualitative Data (b) Data varying over time
(c) Data varying over space (d) (a) or (c)

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 38

Vertical bar diagram is applicable when
(a) The data are qualitative (b) The data are quantitative
(c) When the data vary over time (d) (b) or (c)

Solution (d)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 40
In order to compare two or more related series, we consider:
(a) Multiple Bar Chart (b) Grouped Bar Chart
(c) (a) or (b) (d) (a) and (b)

Solution (c)

Exercise – Set A – Question 39

Divided bar chart is considered for:
(a) Comparing different components of a variable
(b) The relation of different components to the table
(c) (a) or (b)
(d) (a) and (b)

Solution (d)

Pie Diagram
Example: The revenue earned by the Government from different sources is given below:
Source Revenue (in Million ₹)
Customs 80
Excise 190
Income Tax 160
Corporate Tax 75
Miscellaneous 35
Calculate central angles for the purpose of drawing a pie chart and draw the same.
Solution
Calculation of Central Angles
Source Revenue in million Central Angle
rupees
Customs 80 80
 360 = 53
540
Excise 190 190
 360 = 127
540
Income Tax 160 160
 360 = 107
540
Corporate Tax 75 75
 360 = 50
540
Miscellaneous 35 35
 360 = 23
540
Total 360

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 Revenue

6% Customs
15%
14%
Excise

Income Tax

35% Corporate Tax

30%

Miscellaneous

Exercise – Set A – Question 41

Pie-diagram is used for:
(a) Comparing different components and their relation to the total
(b) Representing qualitative data in a circle
(c) Representing quantitative data in a circle
(d) (b) or (c)

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set B – Question 3

Cost of sugar in a month under the heads raw materials, labour, direct production and others
were 12, 20, 35 and 23 units respectively. What is the difference between the central angles for
the largest and smallest components of the cost of sugar?
(a) 72 (b) 48 (c) 56 (d) 92

Solution (d)

General Questions on Diagrammatic Representation

Exercise – Set A – Question 31
Hidden trend, if any, in the data can be noticed in:
(a) Textual presentation (b) Tabulation
(c) Diagrammatic Representation (d) All these
Solution (c)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 32
Diagrammatic representation of data is done by
(a) Diagrams (b) Charts
(c) Pictures (d) All these

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 23

The best method of presentation of data is
(a) Textual (b) Tabular
(c) Diagrammatic (d) (b) and (c)

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 24

The most attractive method of data presentation is
(a) Tabular (b) Textual
(c) Diagrammatic (d) (a) or (b)

Solution (c)

Frequency Distribution – Types of Series

Types of Series

Individual Discrete Continuous

Individual Series
Individual Series is simply a list which contains the values of a variable.

Discrete Series
• A discrete series is a series which has the value of the variable as well as its frequency.

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 • Frequency is the number of times a particular variable assumes a particular value.
Marks (Variable) Number of Students (Frequency)
65 10
75 20
85 50
90 10
100 10
Total 100

Exercise – Set A – Question 44

The distribution of shares is an example of the frequency distribution of:
(a) A discrete variable (b) A continuous variable
(c) An attribute (d) (a) or (c)

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set B – Question 4

The number of accidents for seven days in a locality are given below:
No. of Accidents 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Frequency 15 19 22 31 9 3 2
What is the number of cases when 3 or less accidents occurred?
(a) 56 (b) 6 (c) 68 (d) 87

Solution (d)

Continuous Series
A continuous series has Class Intervals and corresponding frequencies.
Groups (Class Intervals) No. of Students (Frequency)
0 – 10 5
10 – 20 6
20 – 30 4
30 – 40 5
40 – 50 5
50 – 60 5
60 – 70 30
70 – 80 10
80 – 90 20
90 – 100 10
Total 100
• Each class interval contains a lower limit, and an upper limit.

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 • The difference between the upper boundary and the lower boundary is known as Class
Length.
• Continuous Series can be of two types
o Inclusive Series
Class Interval 0 – 10 11 – 20 21 – 30 31 – 40
Frequency 2 5 4 6
o Exclusive Series
Class Interval 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40
Frequency 2 3 4 5

Converting an Inclusive Series into Exclusive Series

To convert inclusive series into exclusive series, subtract 0.5 from the lower limit of each class
interval and add 0.5 to the upper limit of each class interval.

Class Boundary
• For an exclusive series, the class boundaries are the same as the class limits.
• In order to find out the class boundaries of inclusive series, we must first convert it into
an exclusive series, and then, the class boundaries will be the same as class limits.

Cumulative Frequency
• Consider the following series:
Class Intervals Frequency Cumulative Frequency
4.5 – 10.5 2 2
10.5 – 15.5 4 6
15.5 – 20.5 3 9
20.5 – 25.5 4 13
Total 13
This is “less than” type cumulative frequency.
• Consider the following series:
Class Intervals Frequency Cumulative Frequency
4.5 – 10.5 2 13
10.5 – 15.5 4 11
15.5 – 20.5 3 7
20.5 – 25.5 4 4
Total 13
This is “more than” type cumulative frequency.

Exercise – Set A – Question 45

The distribution of profits of a blue-chip company relates to:
(a) A discrete variable (b) A continuous variable
(c) An attribute (d) (a) or (b)

Solution (b)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 46
Mutually exclusive classification
(a) Excludes both the class limits
(b) Excludes the upper-class limit but includes the lower-class limit
(c) Includes the upper-class limit but excludes the upper-class limit
(d) Either (b) or (c)

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 47

Mutually inclusive classification is usually meant for
(a) A discrete variable (b) A continuous variable
(c) An attribute (d) All these

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 48

Mutually exclusive classification is usually meant for
(a) A discrete variable (b) A continuous variable
(c) An attribute (d) Any of these

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 49

The LCB is
(a) An upper limit to LCL (b) A lower limit to LCL
(c) (a) and (b) (d) (a) or (b)

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 50

The UCB is
(a) An upper limit to UCL (b) A lower limit to LCL
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) (a) or (b)
Solution (a)

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Exercise – Set A – Question 51
Length of a class is:
(a) The difference between the UCB and LCB of that class
(b) The difference between the UCL and LCL of that class
(c) (a) or (b)
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 52

For a particular class boundary, the less than cumulative frequency and more than cumulative
frequency add up to:
(a) Total frequency (b) Fifty per cent of the total frequency
(c) (a) or (b) (d) None of these

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set B – Question 5

The following data relate to the incomes of 86 persons:
Income in ₹ 500 – 999 1000 – 1499 1500 – 1999 2000 – 2499
No. of Persons: 15 28 36 7
What is the percentage of persons earning more than ₹1,500?
(a) 50 (b) 45 (c) 40 (d) 60

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set B – Question 6

The following data relate to the marks of a group of students:
Marks Below 10 Below 20 Below 30 Below 40 Below 50
No. of Students 15 38 65 84 100
How many students got marks more than 30?
(a) 65 (b) 50 (c) 35 (d) 43

Solution (c)

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Exercise – Set B – Question 7
Find the number of observations between 250 and 300 from the following data:
Value More than More than More than More than
200 250 300 350
No. of Observations 56 38 15 0

(a) 56 (b) 23 (c) 15 (d) 8

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 42

A frequency distribution
(a) Arranges observations in an increasing order
(b) Arranges observation in terms of a number of groups
(c) Relates to a measurable characteristic
(d) All these

Solution (b)

Exercise – Set A – Question 43

The frequency distribution of a continuous variable is known as:
(a) Grouped Frequency Distribution
(b) Simple Frequency Distribution
(c) (a) or (b)
(d) (a) and (b)

Solution (a)

Frequency Distribution
• The difference between the largest observation and smallest observation is known as
Range.
• For example, following are the weights in kgs. of 36 BBA students of St. Xavier’s
College:
70, 73, 49, 61, 61, 47, 57, 50, 59, 59, 68, 45, 55, 65, 68, 56, 68, 55, 70, 70, 57, 44, 69,
73, 64, 49, 63, 65, 70, 65, 62, 64, 73, 67, 60, 50
• We can see that the largest observation is 73, and the smallest observation is 44.
• Now, the range = 73 – 44 = 29 kgs.
• Suppose we need to convert it into a continuous series taking the class length as 5.
• Remember the formula: No. of Class Intervals × Class Length = Range

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 • Therefore, we have: No. of Class Intervals = Range ÷ Class Length
• Therefore, no. of class intervals = 29 ÷ 5 = 5.8  6

PYQ – December, 2008

From the following data find the number class intervals if class length is given as 5.
73, 72, 65, 41, 54, 80, 50, 46, 49, 53

(a) 6 (b) 5 (c) 7 (d) 8

Solution (d)

Frequency Density of a Class Interval

𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
• 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙 = 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
• Consider the following table:
Weight (in Kgs) (Class Interval) No. of Students (Frequency)
44 – 48 3
49 – 53 4
54 – 58 5
59 – 63 7
64 – 68 9
69 – 73 8
Total 36
• In the above table, the frequency density of the first class-interval is 3/5 = 0.6
• In the above table, the frequency density of the second class-interval is 4/5 = 0.8

Relative Frequency of a Class Interval

𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
• 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
• Consider the following table:
Weight (in Kgs) (Class Interval) No. of Students (Frequency)
44 – 48 3
49 – 53 4
54 – 58 5
59 – 63 7
64 – 68 9
69 – 73 8
Total 36
• In the above table, the relative frequency of the first class-interval is 3/36
• In the above table, the relative frequency of the second class-interval is 4/36

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Percentage Frequency of a Class Interval
𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
• 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 × 100
• Consider the following table:
Weight (in Kgs) (Class Interval) No. of Students (Frequency)
44 – 48 3
49 – 53 4
54 – 58 5
59 – 63 7
64 – 68 9
69 – 73 8
Total 36
3 300
• In the above table, the percentage frequency of the first class-interval is 36 × 100 = 36
4
• In the above table, the percentage frequency of the second class-interval is 36 × 100 =
400
36

Exercise – Set A – Question 53

Frequency density corresponding to a class interval is the ratio of:
(a) Class frequency to the total frequency
(b) Class frequency to the class length
(c) Class length to the class frequency
(d) Class frequency to the cumulative frequency

Solution (b)
Exercise – Set A – Question 54
Relative frequency for a particular class
(a) Lies between 0 and 1
(b) Lies between 0 and 1, both inclusive
(c) Lies between –1 and 0
(d) Lies between –1 to 1

Solution (a)

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Graphical Presentation of Frequency Distribution

Graphical Representation
Histogram or Frequency
Ogives
Area Diagram Polygon

Histogram or Area Diagram

• This is the most common form of representing grouped frequency data.
• This is a very convenient way to represent a frequency distribution.
• Histogram helps us to get an idea of the frequency curve of the variable under study.
• Some statistical measure can be obtained using a histogram.
• A comparison among the frequencies for different class intervals is possible in this mode
of diagrammatic representation.
• Histogram is used to determine Mode graphically.
• Consider the following class intervals and corresponding frequencies:
Class Interval Frequency
43.5 – 48.5 3
48.5 – 53.5 4
53.5 – 58.5 5
58.5 – 63.5 7
63.5 – 68.5 9
68.5 – 73.5 8
Following is the histogram:

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Exercise – Set A – Question 55
Mode of a distribution can be obtained from:
(a) Histogram (b) Less than type Ogives
(c) More than type Ogives (d) Frequency Polygon

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set A – Question 57

A comparison among the class frequencies is possible only in:
(a) Frequency Polygon (b) Histogram
(c) Ogives (d) (a) or (b)

Solution (b)

Frequency Polygon
• Usually frequency polygon is meant for single frequency distribution.
• However, we also apply it for grouped frequency distribution provided the width of the
class intervals remains the same.
• Consider the following single frequency table against the mid points of class intervals:
Mid Points Frequency
46 3
51 4
56 5
61 7
66 9
71 8

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Frequency Curve
• A frequency curve is a smooth curve for which the total area is taken to be unity.
• It is a limiting form of a histogram or frequency polygon.
• The frequency curve for a distribution can be obtained by drawing a smooth and free
hand curve through the mid-points of the upper ides of the rectangles forming the
histogram.

Types of Frequency Curves

Bell Shaped U-Shaped J-Shaped Mixed

Bell Shaped Frequency Curve

• Most of the commonly used distributions provide bell-shaped curve, which, as
suggested by the name, looks almost like a bell.
• The distribution of height, weight, mark, profit etc. usually belong to this category.
• On a bell-shaped curve, the frequency, starting from a rather low value, gradually
reaches the maximum value, somewhere near the central part and then gradually
decreases to reach its lowest value at the other extremity.

U-Shaped Frequency Curve

• For a U-shaped curve, the frequency is minimum near the central part and the frequency
slowly but steadily reaches its maximum at the two extremities.
• The distribution of Kolkata bound commuters belongs to this type of curve as there are
maximum number of commuters during the peak hours in the morning and in the
evening.

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J-Shaped Frequency Curve
• The J-shaped curve starts with a minimum frequency and then gradually reaches its
maximum frequency at the other extremity.
• The distribution of commuters coming to Kolkata from the early morning hour to peak
morning hour follows such a distribution.
• Sometimes, we may also come across an inverted J-shaped frequency curve.

Mixed Curve
A combination of these frequency curves is known as mixed curve.

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Exercise – Set A – Question 58
Frequency curve is a limiting form of
(a) Frequency Polygon (b) Histogram
(c) (a) or (b) (d) (a) and (b)

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 59

Most of the commonly used frequency curves are
(a) Mixed (b) Inverted J-shaped
(c) U-shaped (d) Bell-shaped

Solution (d)

Exercise – Set A – Question 60

The distribution of profits of a company follows
(a) J-shaped frequency curve
(b) U-shaped frequency curve
(c) Bell-shaped frequency curve
(d) Any of these

Solution (c)

Ogives or Cumulative Frequency Graph

• By plotting cumulative frequency against the respective class boundary, we get ogives.
• As such there are two ogives – less than type ogives, obtained by taking less than
cumulative frequency on the vertical axis and more than type ogives by plotting more
than type cumulative frequency on the vertical axis and thereafter joining the plotted
points successively by line segments.
• Ogives may be considered for obtaining quartiles graphically.
• If a perpendicular is drawn from the point of intersection of the two ogives on the
horizontal axis, then the x-value of this point gives us the value of median, the second
or middle quartile.
• Ogives further can be put into use for making short term projections.
• Consider the following table:
Weight in kg (CB) Cumulative Frequency
Less than More than
43.50 0 36
48.50 3 33

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 53.50 7 29
58.50 12 24
63.50 19 17
68.50 28 8
73.50 36 0
40
Cumulative Frequency

30
20
10
0
43.5 48.5 53.5 58.5 63.5 68.5 73.5
Weights (in kgs)

Exercise – Set A – Question 56

Median of a distribution can be obtained from
(a) Frequency Polygon (b) Histogram
(c) Less than type Ogives (d) None of these

Solution (c)

Exercise – Set B – Question 1

Out of 1000 persons, 25 per cent were industrial workers and the rest were agricultural workers.
300 persons enjoyed world cup matches on TV. 30 per cent of the people who had not watched
world cup matches were industrial workers. What is the number of agricultural workers who
had enjoyed world cup matches on TV?
(a) 260 (b) 240 (c) 230 (d) 250

Solution (a)

Exercise – Set B – Question 2

A sample study of the people of an area revealed that total number of women were 40% and
the percentage of coffee drinkers were 45 as a whole and the percentage of male coffee drinkers
was 20. What was the percentage of female non-coffee drinkers?
(a) 10 (b) 15 (c) 18 (d) 20

Solution (b)

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