Relative Frequency

Here we will learn about relative frequency, including how to calculate it.

There are also relative frequency worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is relative frequency?

Relative frequency is the number of times an event happens divided by the total number of outcomes that took place in an experiment, known as the number of trials.

To calculate the relative frequency we can use the formula,

\text{Relative frequency = }\frac{\text{frequency of event occurring}}{\text{total number of trials of the experiment}}

For example,

Relative frequency image 1

Jo made a four-sided spinner out of a piece of card and a pencil. She spun the spinner 50 times and the spinner landed on a three 15 times. Calculate the relative frequency of the spinner landing on a three.

Relative frequency of landing on a three = \frac{15}{50} or \frac{3}{10} or 0.3 or 30\%.

The more times an experiment is carried out, the more reliable the relative frequency will be and closer to the theoretical probability.

What is relative frequency?

What is relative frequency?

How to calculate relative frequency

In order to calculate relative frequency:

  1. Find the number of times the event occurs.
  2. Find the number of trials of the experiment.
  3. Use the formula

    \textbf{Relative frequency = }\frac{\textbf{frequency of event occurring}}{\textbf{total number of trials of the experiment}}

    Write your answer as a fraction, decimal or percentage.

Explain how to calculate relative frequency

Explain how to calculate relative frequency

Relative frequency worksheet

Relative frequency worksheet

Relative frequency worksheet

Get your free relative frequency worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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Relative frequency worksheet

Relative frequency worksheet

Relative frequency worksheet

Get your free relative frequency worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Related lessons on probability distribution

Relative frequency is part of our series of lessons to support revision on probability distribution. You may find it helpful to start with the main probability distribution lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Relative frequency examples

Example 1: calculating relative frequency

A coin is flipped 50 times and shows heads on 22 occasions. Calculate the relative frequency of the coin showing heads.

  1. Find the number of times the event occurs.

The coin showed heads 22 times.

2Find the number of trials of the experiment.

The coin was flipped 50 times.

3Use the formula

\textbf{Relative frequency = }\frac{\textbf{frequency of event occurring}}{\textbf{total number of trials of the experiment}}

Write your answer as a fraction, decimal or percentage.

Relative frequency =\frac{22}{50}=0.44

Example 2: calculating relative frequency

A coin shows heads 15 times having been flipped 40 times. Calculate the relative frequency of the coin showing tails.

Find the number of times the event occurs.

Find the number of trials of the experiment.

Use the formula

\textbf{Relative frequency = }\frac{\textbf{frequency of event occurring}}{\textbf{total number of trials of the experiment}}

Write your answer as a fraction, decimal or percentage.

Example 3: calculating the number of trials if relative frequency is known

An experiment rolling a normal 6 -sided dice obtained the number 4 on 32 occasions.

The relative frequency of rolling a 4 was calculated as 0.2. Find the number of times the dice was rolled.

Find the number of times the event occurs.

Find the number of trials of the experiment.

Use the formula

\textbf{Relative frequency = }\frac{\textbf{frequency of event occurring}}{\textbf{total number of trials of the experiment}}

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming relative frequency is equal to the theoretical probability

The relative frequency of an event is determined by the number of trials or observations. If an experiment only has a small number of trials it is possible for the relative frequency to be very different from the theoretical probability of the same event. For example – if a coin is flipped only 5 times, it is very possible for it to show heads on all 5 occasions.

  • Assuming a relative frequency with few trials is a good estimate for the theoretical probability

The more times an experiment is carried out, the more reliable the relative frequency will be and closer to the theoretical probability.

Practice relative frequency questions

1. A coin is flipped 80 times and shows heads 50 times. Find the relative frequency for the coin showing heads, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

\frac{50}{80}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{5}{8}
GCSE Quiz True

\frac{3}{8}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{1}{2}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{50}{80} simplifies to \frac{5}{8} .

2. A coin is flipped 60 times and shows tails 24 times. Find the relative frequency for the coin showing tails, giving your answer as a decimal.

\frac{24}{60}
GCSE Quiz False

0.5
GCSE Quiz False

0.4
GCSE Quiz True

0.6
GCSE Quiz False
\frac{24}{60}=0.4

3. A coin is flipped 50 times and shows heads 31 times. Find the relative frequency for the coin showing tails, giving your answer as a fraction.

\frac{19}{50}
GCSE Quiz True

\frac{31}{50}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{25}{50}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{29}{50}
GCSE Quiz False

If the coin shows heads 31 times it must show tails 19 times. 50-31 = 19.

4. A 3 sided spinner, numbered 1, \ 2 and 3, is spun 200 times. It lands on 1, \ 60 times, and lands on 2, \ 85 times. Calculate the relative frequency of the spinner landing on 3. Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

\frac{3}{10}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{17}{40}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{55}{200}
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{11}{40}
GCSE Quiz True
200-60-85=55

 

\frac{55}{200}=\frac{11}{40}

5. A normal 6- sided dice is rolled 150 times. The relative frequency of the die landing on 2 is 0.36. How many times did the die land on 2?

54
GCSE Quiz True

36
GCSE Quiz False

25
GCSE Quiz False

150
GCSE Quiz False
0.36 \times 150 = 54

6. A 4- sided spinner numbered 1 to 4 is spun n times in an experiment. The spinner lands on 3, 76 times. The relative frequency of the spinner landing on 3 was calculated as \frac{19}{75}. Find the value of n.

75
GCSE Quiz False

150
GCSE Quiz False

76
GCSE Quiz False

300
GCSE Quiz True
76\div \frac{19}{75}=300

Relative frequency GCSE questions

1. A school recorded the number of times different fruits were bought by students for their lunch.

 

Relative frequency gcse question 1

 

Find the relative frequency of

(a) a student buying an apple.

(b) a student not buying grapes.

 

(4 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 

Evidence of a fraction with denominator 150 .

(1)

\frac{53}{150} or 0.353… or equivalent.

(1)

 

(b)

 

Evidence of a fraction with denominator 150 .

(1)

\frac{121}{150} or 0.8066… or equivalent.

(1)

2. Jenny is doing an experiment to test the fairness of a 6- sided dice. She rolled the dice 12 times and got the following results.

 

Relative frequency gcse question 2 image 1

 

Jenny claims that the dice is not fair based on her results.

(a) Explain why Jenny may not be correct.

 

Simon repeats the experiment with the same die but rolls the die 36 times. His results are below.

 

Relative frequency gcse question 2 image 3

 

(b) Using all the information available find the relative frequency of rolling a 4 on the dice.

 

(4 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 

β€œJenny has not rolled the die many times” or β€œif she rolled the die more times her results would be more accurate”

(1)

 

(b)

 

7 + 2 = 9

(1)

12 + 36 = 48

(1)

\frac{9}{48} or 0.1875 or equivalent.

(1)

3. A coin is flipped 500 times and shows tails 324 times.

 

Find the relative frequency of the coin showing heads.

 

(2 marks)

Show answer
500-324 = 176

(1)

0.352 or equivalent.

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Calculate the relative frequency of an event occurring from a probability experiment

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