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Question

Consider the following discrete frequency distribution:

x

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

f

3

15

45

57

50

36

25

9

What is the value of median of the distribution?

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

4

Median Calculation for Discrete Frequency Distribution

Consider the following discrete frequency distribution:

x12345678
f31545575036259

What is the value of median of the distribution?

To find the median of the discrete frequency distribution, we follow these steps:

Step 1: Calculate the total number of observations (N).

N = Sum of all frequencies (f)

N = 3 + 15 + 45 + 57 + 50 + 36 + 25 + 9

N = 240

Step 2: Calculate the cumulative frequency (Cf).

We need to construct a cumulative frequency table to easily locate the median.

xfCf (Cumulative Frequency)
133
2153 + 15 = 18
34518 + 45 = 63
45763 + 57 = 120
550120 + 50 = 170
636170 + 36 = 206
725206 + 25 = 231
89231 + 9 = 240

Step 3: Determine the median position and value.

For a discrete frequency distribution with an even total number of observations (N), the median is often defined as the value of 'x' corresponding to the first cumulative frequency that is greater than or equal to N/2.

Median Position = N / 2

Median Position = 240 / 2 = 120

Now, we find the smallest 'x' value in the cumulative frequency table for which Cf ≥ 120:

  • For x = 1, Cf = 3 (3 < 120)
  • For x = 2, Cf = 18 (18 < 120)
  • For x = 3, Cf = 63 (63 < 120)
  • For x = 4, Cf = 120 (120 ≥ 120)

The first value of x for which the cumulative frequency is greater than or equal to 120 is 4.

The final answer is 4. 

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Similar Questions

  1. A random sample of 20 people is classified in the following table according to their ages:

    Age

    Frequency

    15 – 25

    2

    25 – 35

    4

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    6

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    What is the mean age of this group of people?

  2. If the mode of the scores 10, 12, 13, 15, 15, 13, 12, 10, x is 15, then what is the value of x?

  3. The numbers 4 and 9 have frequencies x and (x - 1) respectively. If their arithmetic mean is 6, then what is the value of x?

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  6. What is the mean of natural numbers in the interval [15, 64]?

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Important Questions from Measures of Central Tendency

  1. A random sample of 20 people is classified in the following table according to their ages:

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    Frequency

    15 – 25

    2

    25 – 35

    4

    35 – 45

    6

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    5

    55 - 65

    3

    What is the mean age of this group of people?

  2. The median of the following observations 46, 64, 87, 41, 58, 77, 35, 90, 55, 92, 33 is 58. If 92 is replaced by 99 and 41 by 43 in the above data. The new median is:

  3. If the difference of mode and median is 36, then the difference of median and mean is:

  4. In a Mathematics test 15 students scored 80 marks, 20 students scored 75 marks, 28 students scored 65 marks and 25 students scored 60 marks, mode of the score is:

  5. If the mode of the scores 10, 12, 13, 15, 15, 13, 12, 10, x is 15, then what is the value of x?

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