Table of contents
- 1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data55m
- 2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs1h 55m
- 3. Describing Data Numerically1h 45m
- 4. Probability2h 16m
- 5. Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables2h 33m
- 6. Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables1h 38m
- 7. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean1h 3m
- 8. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion1h 12m
- 9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample1h 1m
- 10. Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples2h 8m
- 11. Correlation48m
- 12. Regression1h 4m
- 13. Chi-Square Tests & Goodness of Fit1h 20m
- 14. ANOVA1h 0m
2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs
Frequency Distributions
Problem 2.1.5
Textbook Question
In Exercises 5–8, identify the class width, class midpoints, and class boundaries for the given frequency distribution. Also identify the number of individuals included in the summary. The frequency distributions are based on real data from Appendix B.


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Step 1: Identify the class width. The class width is calculated by subtracting the lower boundary of one class from the lower boundary of the next class. For example, subtract 20 (lower boundary of the first class) from 30 (lower boundary of the second class).
Step 2: Calculate the class midpoints. The class midpoint is the average of the lower and upper boundaries of each class. For example, for the first class (20–29), calculate (20 + 29) / 2.
Step 3: Determine the class boundaries. The class boundaries are the values that separate one class from another without gaps. For example, for the first class (20–29), the lower boundary is 19.5 and the upper boundary is 29.5.
Step 4: Sum the frequencies to find the total number of individuals included in the summary. Add all the frequencies together: 31 + 34 + 15 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 1.
Step 5: Verify the calculations and ensure all values (class width, midpoints, boundaries, and total frequency) are consistent with the data provided in the frequency distribution table.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Class Width
Class width refers to the range of values that each class interval covers in a frequency distribution. It is calculated by subtracting the lower boundary of a class from its upper boundary. For example, in the age distribution provided, the class width for the age range 20-29 is 10 years (29 - 20 = 9, plus one for inclusive counting).
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Class Midpoint
The class midpoint is the value that lies in the middle of a class interval and is calculated by averaging the upper and lower boundaries of that class. For instance, the midpoint for the age range 20-29 is (20 + 29) / 2 = 24.5. This value is often used in statistical calculations, such as finding the mean of grouped data.
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Class Boundaries
Class boundaries are the values that separate one class from another in a frequency distribution. They are determined by taking the upper limit of one class and the lower limit of the next class, ensuring there are no gaps between classes. For example, the class boundaries for the age range 20-29 would be 19.5 (lower) and 29.5 (upper), allowing for a continuous range of data.
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