Cumulative Frequency

Overview

Jamie records the scores at the UK Snakeboard Championships and draws a cumulative frequency graph to see how well a competitor has done compared with the rest. Median and quartiles are introduced and we see in detail how to find these. Katie reveals how cumulative frequency graphs and box plots can be used to summarise large sets of data. She uses results from the UK National Sizing Survey and finds out from a member of the team how the data is analysed.

The programme aims to present the topic of cumulative frequency in a lively, interesting and entertaining style. The content is linked throughout to the requirements of GCSE Intermediate Mathematics. It includes tips for answering examination questions and a discussion of a typical exam error in the 'Tick or Trash' section. Completing tables and plotting points are shown, but the programme focuses on analysing the data, using medians, quartiles and box plots. Graphs are interpreted within the real contexts shown and clear graphic and visual explanations are used to develop the concepts covered. The content is chosen to engage the student audience, as well as to support teachers by bringing the outside world into the classroom.