Statistics — Class 9 Mathematics
"Statistics turns NUMBERS into KNOWLEDGE. It is the science of making SENSE of data."
1. Data — Types and Collection
Primary Data: Collected DIRECTLY by the investigator for a SPECIFIC purpose. Survey, experiment. Secondary Data: ALREADY collected by someone else. Census data, reports, websites. 'Primary data is more RELIABLE but more EXPENSIVE and TIME-CONSUMING. Secondary data is cheaper but may not perfectly fit your purpose.'
2. Presentation of Data
Frequency Distribution Table
For large datasets: group into CLASS INTERVALS (e.g., 0-10, 10-20, 20-30). Tally marks count observations. Class size = Upper limit − Lower limit.
Graphical Representation
Bar Graph: For DISCRETE data. Bars have GAPS between them. Equal width bars. Height = frequency.
Histogram: For CONTINUOUS grouped data. Bars TOUCH each other (no gaps). Equal class intervals → height = frequency. Unequal class intervals → AREA = frequency (adjust height: height = frequency / class width).
Frequency Polygon: Join the MIDPOINTS of the tops of histogram bars with straight lines. Also plot at ZERO frequency at the beginning and end. 'A frequency polygon shows the SHAPE of the distribution more clearly than a histogram.'
3. Measures of Central Tendency
Mean (Arithmetic Average)
Ungrouped Data: X̄ = (x₁ + x₂ + ... + xₙ) / n = Σx / n.
Grouped Data — Direct Method: X̄ = Σfᵢxᵢ / Σfᵢ. Where xᵢ = class mark (midpoint) = (lower limit + upper limit) / 2.
Grouped Data — Assumed Mean Method: X̄ = A + (Σfᵢdᵢ / Σfᵢ). Where A = assumed mean (any class mark, usually middle one). dᵢ = xᵢ − A.
Grouped Data — Step Deviation Method: X̄ = A + h(Σfᵢuᵢ / Σfᵢ). Where uᵢ = (xᵢ − A) / h. h = class size. 'This is the SHORTEST method — use it for large datasets with equal class sizes.'
Median
Ungrouped Data: Arrange in ascending order. If n is ODD → median = (n+1)/2 th term. If n is EVEN → median = average of (n/2)th and (n/2+1)th terms.
Grouped Data: Median = L + [(N/2 − CF) / f] × h. Where L = lower limit of median class. N = Σfᵢ. CF = cumulative frequency just BEFORE the median class. f = frequency of median class. h = class size.
Mode
Ungrouped Data: The value that occurs MOST FREQUENTLY.
Grouped Data: Mode = L + [(f₁ − f₀) / (2f₁ − f₀ − f₂)] × h. Where f₁ = frequency of modal class (highest). f₀ = frequency before. f₂ = frequency after.
4. Worked Examples
Example 1 — Mean (Direct Method)
| Class | 0-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | 40-50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fᵢ | 5 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 5 |
xᵢ (midpoints): 5, 15, 25, 35, 45. Σfᵢxᵢ = 5×5 + 8×15 + 12×25 + 10×35 + 5×45 = 25+120+300+350+225 = 1020. Σfᵢ = 40. X̄ = 1020/40 = 25.5.
Example 2 — Median (Grouped)
| Class | 0-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | 40-50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fᵢ | 4 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
N = 30. N/2 = 15. Cumulative frequencies: 4, 10, 20, ... Median class = 20-30 (15 falls in this class). L = 20. CF = 10. f = 10. h = 10. Median = 20 + [(15−10)/10]×10 = 20 + 5 = 25.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 'Bar graphs and histograms are the same' — Histogram bars TOUCH (continuous data). Bar graph bars have GAPS (discrete).
- Using xᵢ (class mark) directly as midpoints without computing — xᵢ = (lower + upper)/2.
- Confusing cumulative frequency (CF) in median formula — CF is BEFORE the median class, not the cumulative frequency OF the median class.
6. AP Exam Focus
| Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mean — direct and assumed mean | 4-5 |
| Median for grouped data | 3-4 |
| Histogram / Frequency polygon | 3-4 |
Worked Example — Mean by Step Deviation
| Class | 0-10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | 40-50 | | fᵢ | 5 | 12 | 20 | 10 | 3 | Σf = 50
Let A = 25 (midpoint of middle class). h = 10. xᵢ (midpoints): 5, 15, 25, 35, 45. uᵢ = (xᵢ−A)/h: −2, −1, 0, 1, 2. Σfu = 5(−2)+12(−1)+20(0)+10(1)+3(2) = −10−12+0+10+6 = −6. X̄ = A + h(Σfu/Σf) = 25 + 10(−6/50) = 25 − 1.2 = 23.8.
Key Memory Aid — When to Use Which Average
Mean: Use when data is SYMMETRICAL. Affected by EXTREME values (outliers). Median: Use when data is SKEWED (income, house prices). Not affected by extremes. Mode: Use for CATEGORICAL data (most popular item, best-selling size).
Data Interpretation Skills for AP Exam
- 'READ the question carefully — does it ask for mean, median, or mode?'
- 'For grouped data: FIRST identify the correct class (median class, modal class). THEN apply the formula.'
- 'In histograms: area = frequency. For unequal class widths, ADJUST the height.'
- 'ALWAYS state the UNITS in your final answer.'
More Worked Examples
Example — Finding the Modal Class: Given frequencies: 0-10(4), 10-20(8), 20-30(15), 30-40(12), 40-50(6). Modal class = 20-30 (highest frequency = 15).
Example — Median from Ogive: Plot cumulative frequencies (4, 12, 27, 39, 45) vs upper limits (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). Draw smooth curve. Mark N/2 = 22.5 on y-axis. Draw horizontal line to curve. Drop vertical to x-axis → Median ≈ 25.
Example — Choosing the Right Average: A company reports 'average salary = ₹50,000.' But 2 executives earn ₹5,00,000 each and 8 workers earn ₹12,500 each. Mean = (2×5L + 8×12,500)/10 = (10L+1L)/10 = ₹1,10,000 (misleading — inflated by executives). Median = ₹12,500 (the TRUE typical salary). 'The MEDIAN tells the real story. Always ask: which average is being reported — and WHY?'
Common Graph Errors in AP Exams
- Bar graph: bars must have EQUAL WIDTH. Gaps between bars. Start y-axis from ZERO.
- Histogram: NO gaps (unless frequency = 0). Area ∝ frequency. For unequal class widths, height = frequency/class width.
- Frequency polygon: Start and end at ZERO frequency (touch the x-axis at both ends).
CBSE/AP Exam Tip: When drawing a histogram, ALWAYS label both axes clearly. X-axis: 'Class Intervals (with units).' Y-axis: 'Frequency (number of students/items).' If asked to draw a frequency polygon WITHOUT a histogram, first construct the histogram, then join midpoints. For the assumed mean method, choose A as a middle class mark to minimise calculations with large numbers.
Final Reminder: Statistics is the MOST PRACTICAL math topic — you'll use it in science experiments, business, and everyday decision-making. Master the formulas now, and you'll use them for life.
