Median, Quartiles And Percentiles (Grouped Data)
In these lessons, we will learn how to obtain the median, quartiles and percentiles from the cumulative frequency graph of the distribution (grouped data).
Related Pages
Quartiles
Mean, Median, Mode, Range
More Statistics Lessons
Example:
The following cumulative frequency graph shows the distribution of marks scored by a class of 40
students in a test.
Use the graph to estimate
a) the median mark
b) the upper quartile
c) the lower quartile
d) the interquartile range
Solution:
a) Median corresponds to the 50th percentile
i.e. 50% of the total frequency.
50% of the total frequency = 
From the graph, 20 on the vertical axis corresponds to 44 on the horizontal axis. The median mark is 44.
b) The upper quartile corresponds to the 75th percentile i.e. 75% of the total frequency.
75% of the total frequency = 
From the graph, 30 on the vertical axis corresponds to 52 on the horizontal axis. The upper quartile is 52.
c) The lower quartile corresponds to the 25th percentile i.e. 25% of the total frequency.
25% of the total frequency = 
From the graph, 10 on the vertical axis corresponds to 36 on the horizontal axis. The lower quartile is 36.
d) The interquartile range = upper quartile – lower quartile
= 52 – 36 = 16
How cumulative frequency diagrams are used to estimate the median and quartiles of a frequency distribution?
Cumulative Frequency - Finding the Median and Interquartile Range for Grouped Data
Reading Cumulative Frequency Graphs
This video shows you how to interpret cumulative frequency graphs. It shows you how to find the median,
lower quartile, upper quartile and interquartile range, IQR.
Cumulative Frequency Curve
This video helps you to understand how to work out cumulative frequency, draw the cumulative frequency
graph and find the median, lower quartile, upper quartile and interquartile range.
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