What does cumulative frequency represent in a dataset?

Cumulative frequency provides important insights into a dataset by reflecting the number of observations that fall at or below a particular value. This measure allows researchers to grasp the distribution of data points and observe how many scores accumulate up to a specific point in the dataset.

For instance, if you have a list of test scores, the cumulative frequency at a score of 75 would tell you how many students scored 75 or less. This kind of information is essential in statistical analysis as it helps illustrate the broader trends in the data, such as identifying median scores and quartiles.

Understanding the cumulative frequency assists in visualizing the data distribution, making it easier to interpret findings in a practical context, such as deciding how many students passed an exam by knowing the score threshold. Hence, this definition is vital for anyone analyzing scores or any other ordered data.