Relative frequency probability
Edexcel GCSE Maths revision on Relative frequency probability. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics 1MA1 specification. This bank has 16 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 16)
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Question 1
A biased coin is tossed 200 times and lands on heads 80 times. What is the relative frequency of the coin landing on heads?
- A) 0.40 because 80 divided by 200
- B) 0.25 because 80 minus 60 is 20
- C) 0.60 because 60 divided by 100
- D) 0.80 because 80 out of 100 is 8
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Answer: 0.40 because 80 divided by 200
The relative frequency is calculated as the number of successful outcomes divided by the total number of trials, which is 80/200 = 0.4. A common mistake is to confuse the number of tails with the number of heads.
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Question 2
If a spinner lands on red 45 times out of 150 spins, what is the relative frequency of landing on red?
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Answer: 0.3
To find the relative frequency, divide 45 by 150. This simplifies to 4.5/15, which is 0.3.
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Question 3
A baker records that 12 out of 40 loaves of bread are burnt. What is the relative frequency of a loaf being burnt?
- A) 0.30 as 12 split by 40
- B) 0.40 as 16 split by 40
- C) 0.20 as 8 split by 40
- D) 0.50 as 20 split by 40
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Answer: 0.30 as 12 split by 40
Relative frequency is the ratio of the specific outcome to the total number of trials, calculated here as 12/40 = 0.3. Many students incorrectly subtract the numbers instead of dividing them.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
13 more questions on Relative frequency probability — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Maths spec.