What does cumulative frequency represent?

Cumulative frequency represents a running total of frequencies. It aggregates the number of observations within a dataset and adds them cumulatively as you progress through the ordered data. For example, if you have a frequency distribution of test scores, the cumulative frequency at any particular score indicates how many students scored that score or lower. This concept is particularly useful in understanding the distribution of data points, identifying medians, quartiles, and other statistical measures.

By accumulating the counts, cumulative frequency provides insights into the overall dataset and helps visualize the distribution of frequencies across different intervals. This method is commonly used in constructing cumulative frequency graphs, which can illustrate trends and patterns effectively. Understanding cumulative frequency allows for a deeper analysis of data beyond mere counts or averages.