A frequency table organizes a data set by listing each category or distinct numerical value and recording how many observations belong to it, using counts or frequencies that sum to the total number of observations. It supports accurate interpretation and comparison of data while distinguishing a value or category from its frequency; this scope does not include grouped intervals, cumulative or relative frequencies, or statistical inference.
A frequency table shows each different value in a data set and how many times it appears.
Example: The numbers of books read by 12 students are
Step 1: List each distinct value.
The values are and . Write each value only once.
Step 2: Count how often each value appears.
Step 3: Record the counts in a frequency table.
| Books read (value) | Frequency (number of students) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 2 |
| Total | 12 |
The value tells what is being recorded, such as books. The frequency tells how many observations have that value, such as students.
Finally, check that the frequencies add to the number of observations:
Since there were 12 students, the table is complete and accurate.
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