Cumulative frequency
Cumulative frequency is the running total of frequencies up to a class interval.
Practice This ConceptMain explanation
Teacher explanation
Cumulative frequency helps us see how many observations are counted up to a certain class. It is built by adding frequencies step by step. This is very useful for median, ogive, and data interpretation questions.
Example
If frequencies are 4, 3, and 5, then cumulative frequencies are 4, 7, and 12.
Simple analogy
Cumulative means keep adding, not starting again.
Common confusion
Students sometimes write each class frequency again instead of adding them cumulatively.
Exam tip
Check the running total after every row; one wrong addition can affect the full table and the median.
Answer writing and exam use
1-mark use
Write the exact meaning of cumulative frequency in one clean line.
2-mark use
Define cumulative frequency and add one example or condition.
3-mark use
Explain cumulative frequency, show the method or example, and mention the common mistake.
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