How is a proportion calculated within a dataset?

The formula for calculating a proportion within a dataset is given by the equation p = f / N, where p represents the proportion, f is the frequency of the desired outcome or event, and N is the total number of observations or the size of the dataset.

This calculation provides a way to express how much of the entire dataset is made up of a particular category or event. By dividing the frequency of that event (f) by the total number of observations (N), you get a ratio that reflects the part-to-whole relationship, which is essential for understanding the prevalence or occurrence of specific outcomes within the data.

In contrast, the other options would not yield a proportion. For example, multiplying the frequency by the total or performing different operations would not correctly relate the frequency of events to the overall data size in the way that defining a proportion requires. Thus, the correct approach always involves dividing the frequency by the total number of observations to determine the proportion accurately.