Cumulative data distributions

Sometimes one is more interested in questions such as how many people make less than $20,000, how many make less than $50,000, how many make less than $100,000, etc., rather than how many make between $20,000 and $40,000. Such information is recorded as a cumulative distribution.

For the weights of students there were 3 students between 87.5 and 112.5 pound, 7 between 112.5 and 137.5 pounds, 8 between 137.5 an 162.5 pounds, etc.; this is the information which was displayed in the histogram. The cumulative distribution would record that 3 people weighed less than 112.5 pounds, 10 people weighed less than 137.5 pounds, 18 people weighed less than 162.5 pounds, etc. This cumulative frequency distribution can be displayed graphically in an ogive (the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ogive as a diagonal groin or rib of a vault; a pointed or Gothic arch; this shape is manifest in the graph below?). A cumulative frequency ogive for the weights of students is displayed below.
ogive
Note that the class boundaries rather than class marks are labelled, the cumulative number of individuals is read off the graph at the right boundary of the class, and straight (diagonal) lines are drawn accross each class. The information can also be displayed in a cumulative relative frequency ogive as indicated below.
ogive

return to index

Questions?