Tally Charts & Frequency Tables (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE International Maths)
Revision Note
Written by: Mark Curtis
Reviewed by: Dan Finlay
Tally Charts & Frequency Tables
What is a tally chart?
Tally charts are a quick way to count data
Each time you count an item, draw a vertical line
Do this the first four times
The fifth time, draw a diagonal line through the four vertical lines
Continue counting in sets of five
For example
Counting different coloured flowers in the garden
Colour | Tally |
---|---|
Blue | |
Red | |
Yellow |
What is a frequency table?
A frequency table counts how many times an item appears
Tally charts can be converted into frequency tables
Find the totals
Count up in 5's then add any extras
means 5 + 5 + 2 = 12
The tally chart above gives the following frequency table:
Colour | Frequency |
---|---|
Blue | 5 |
Red | 12 |
Yellow | 3 |
Worked Example
Susie asks pupils in her class to select their favourite type of pet.
Write the results in a frequency table.
Dog | Cat | Dog | Dog | Dog |
Rabbit | Dog | Rabbit | Cat | Cat |
Cat | Dog | Dog | Rabbit | Dog |
Cat | Cat | Dog | Dog | Dog |
It helps to use a tally chart initially
Type of pet | Tally |
Dog |
|
Cat |
|
Rabbit |
|
Then write the tally chart as a frequency table
Type of pet | Frequency |
Dog | 11 |
Cat | 6 |
Rabbit | 3 |
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