Question

identifying the ratio for relative frequency
what is the ratio for relative frequency?
\\( \circ \\) \\( \text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{row total}}{\text{column total}} \\)
\\( \circ \\) \\( \text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{row total}}{\text{total count}} \\)
\\( \circ \\) \\( \text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{total count}}{\text{subtotal count}} \\)
\\( \circ \\) \\( \text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{subtotal count}}{\text{total count}} \\)

Explanation:

Relative frequency is the proportion of a particular subtotal (like the count of a category, row, or column) to the total number of observations (total count). The formula for relative frequency is the subtotal count (of a group) divided by the total count (of all groups). Let's analyze each option:

• First option: $\frac{\text{row total}}{\text{column total}}$ is not the formula for relative frequency.
• Second option: $\frac{\text{row total}}{\text{total count}}$ would be a row - relative frequency in a two - way table, but the general formula for relative frequency (for a subtotal) is $\frac{\text{subtotal count}}{\text{total count}}$.
• Third option: $\frac{\text{total count}}{\text{subtotal count}}$ is the reciprocal of what relative frequency should be.
• Fourth option: $\frac{\text{subtotal count}}{\text{total count}}$ matches the definition of relative frequency, where the subtotal count is the number of times a particular event or group occurs, and the total count is the overall number of events or observations.

Answer:

D. $\text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{subtotal count}}{\text{total count}}$ (assuming the options are labeled A, B, C, D in order from top to bottom: A. $\text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{row total}}{\text{column total}}$, B. $\text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{row total}}{\text{total count}}$, C. $\text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{total count}}{\text{subtotal count}}$, D. $\text{relative frequency} = \frac{\text{subtotal count}}{\text{total count}}$)