Statistical skillsCumulative frequency

Graphs, charts and tables are used to help organise and order data. We can use statistical processes to analyse raw or grouped data in order to measure spread or calculate averages.

Part ofMathsStatistics

Cumulative frequency

The cumulative frequency is obtained by adding up the frequencies as you go along, to give a 'running total'.

Example

The table below shows the lengths (in cm) of 32 cucumbers.

To calculate the cumulative frequencies, we simply add the frequencies in turn as we go down the values in the table.

LengthFrequencyCumulative frequency
21 - 2433
25 - 28710 (= 3 + 7)
29 - 321222 (= 3 + 7 + 12)
33 - 36628 (= 3 + 7 + 12 + 6)
37 - 40432 (= 3 + 7 + 12 + 6 + 4)
Length21 - 24
Frequency3
Cumulative frequency3
Length25 - 28
Frequency7
Cumulative frequency10 (= 3 + 7)
Length29 - 32
Frequency12
Cumulative frequency22 (= 3 + 7 + 12)
Length33 - 36
Frequency6
Cumulative frequency28 (= 3 + 7 + 12 + 6)
Length37 - 40
Frequency4
Cumulative frequency32 (= 3 + 7 + 12 + 6 + 4)

More guides on this topic