Skill: Read a simple frequency table

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

A simple frequency table pairs each category with the number of times it occurs, enabling interpretation of counts for familiar data sets with a small number of categories and whole-number frequencies. The learner can identify how many are in a category, compare categories using more, fewer, or the same number, and determine a total by combining frequencies; percentages, relative frequency, and multi-way tables are beyond this level.

Detailed Explanation: Read a simple frequency table

A frequency table tells how many times each category appears.

Look at the category in the first column. Then look across to find its frequency, or how many.

Favorite petNumber of students
Cat4
Dog6
Fish2

Example questions:

  1. How many students chose cats?
    Find “Cat” in the table. The number next to it is 44.
    Answer: 4 students

  2. Which pet was chosen by more students: dogs or fish?
    Dogs have 66 students, and fish have 22 students. Since 66 is more than 22, dogs were chosen by more students.
    Answer: Dogs

  3. How many students are there altogether?
    Add all the frequencies:

4+6+2=124+6+2=12

Answer: 12 students

Remember: Read the category first, find its number, and compare or add the numbers when asked.

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