LESSON

The Percentiles for Grouped Data

In this self-learning module lesson, you will be able to illustrate, calculate
and interpret the percentile of the given set of data. Enough examples and exercises
are given to facilitate learning.
Percentiles are values that divide a set of data into 100 equal groups. There
are 99 percentiles which are denoted by P 1, P2…,P99. In such organization of data,
1% falls below P1, 2% below falls P2 and so n, 99% falls below P99.
 In finding percentiles of a grouped data is similar to that of finding quartiles
and deciles of a grouped data. The kth percentile denoted by Pk is computed as
follows:
𝑘𝑁
100 − 𝑐𝑓𝑏
𝑃𝑘 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( ) 𝑖
𝑓𝑃𝑘

where: LB = lower boundary of the Pk class

N = total frequency
cfb = cumulative frequency before the Pk class
𝑓𝑃𝑘 = frequency of the Pk class
i = size of class interval
k = nth percentile where n= 1, 2, 3,…, 97, 98, and 99

Example 1: Sam collects plastic bottles every month from the 50 houses in his
barangay. The data for the collection last month is summarized in the table below.
Calculate the 15th percentile, 50th percentile and 93rd percentile

Weighs of the plastic bottles Number of Houses

collected per house (in kg) (frequency)
18-20 7
15-17 8
12-14 12
9-11 10
6-8 9
3-5 4

Solution:
Step 1: To be able to solve the problem, we must complete the table by adding a column for
less than cumulative frequency.

Weighs of the Number of Less than

plastic bottles Houses cumulative
collected per house (frequency) frequency (<cf)
(in kg)
18-20 7 50 (44th -50th weigh)
15-17 8 43 P50 class
12-14 12 35 (24th -35th weigh)
9-11 10 23 P50 class
6-8 9 13 (5th -13th weigh)
3-5 4 4 P15 class
Step 2: Compute for the Position to determine P15 class.

Position of 𝑃𝑘 𝑘𝑁
= 100
𝑃
15(50) 750
15 = 100
= 100
= 7.5

This means we need to find the class interval where the 7.5 th weigh is
contained. Note that the 5th – 13th weighs belong to the class interval: 6-8. The P15
class is the class interval 6-8.

Step 3: Set the given facts for the identified Percentile Class.
LB = 5.5
N = 50
cfb = 4
𝑓𝑃15 = 9
i=3
15𝑁
= 7.5
100

Step 4: Set the formula for P15, substitute and evaluate. Write the final answer and
put the analysis.

15𝑁
100
𝑃15 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( − 𝑐𝑓𝑏) 𝑖
𝑓
𝑃15
Therefore, 15% of the houses
gave less than or equal to 6.67 kg of
7.5−4
𝑃 )3 plastic
85% gavebottle
6.67tokg
Sam last month and
or more.
15 = 5.5 + (
9
𝑃15 = 6.67

50𝑁
P class: = = 50(50) This means that we need to
50 100 find the class interval where the 25th
100
2500 weigh is contained.
= 100
Note that the 24th-35th weigh
= 25 belong to the class interval: 12-14. So
the 25th weigh is also within the class
interval. The P50 class is class interval
12-14.

Given:

LB = 11.5
cfb = 23 Write the given facts for the
𝑓 = 12 identified Percentile Class.
𝑃50
i=3
0𝑁
100= 12
 50𝑁
100
𝑃50 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( − 𝑐𝑓𝑏) 𝑖
𝑓 Set the formula for P50,
𝑃50
substitute and evaluate.
25−23
𝑃50 = 11.5 + ( )3 Therefore, 50% of the houses
12
gave 12 kg or less of plastic bottle to
𝑃50 = 12 Sam and 50% of the houses gave 12
kg or more.

93𝑁
P class: = =
100 93(50) This means that we need to
93
100 find the class interval where the
4650
= 100 46.5th weigh is contained.

= 46.5 Note that the 44th-50th weigh

belong to the class interval: 18-20. So
the 46.5th weigh is also within the
class interval. The P93 class is class
interval 18-20.

Given:

LB = 17.5
cfb = 43 Write the given facts for the
𝑓𝑃93 = 7 identified Percentile Class.
i=3
93𝑁
= 46.5
100

93𝑁
100
𝑃 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( − 𝑐𝑓𝑏)
93 Set the formula for P93,
𝑓𝑃93
substitute and evaluate.

𝑃93 = 17.5 + (46.5−43 ) Therefore, 93% of the houses

7
3 gave 19 kg or less of plastic bottle to
𝑃93 = 19 Sam and 7% of the houses gave 19
kg or more.
 ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 1: LET’S PRACTICE
The frequency distribution presented below gives the ages who recovered
from Corona Virus dated from February 2020 to March 2020. Complete the table
and answer the following questions. Write your answer on the space provided.

Ages frequency <cf

73-82 2
63-72 7
53-62 2
43-52 6
33-42 6
23-32 6
13-22 1

1. How many recovered cases are there?

2. Based on the data, what group of ages has the highest number
recovered from corona virus?
3. What cumulative frequency should be used in solving the 28th
percentile?
4. What is the 50th percentile? Interpret your answer.

5. What is the 75th percentile? Interpret your answer.

ACTIVITY 2: KEEP PRACTICING

Directions: Using the frequency distribution presented on Activity 1. Calculate
and write the given facts for the identified percentile class on the space provided.

1. P31 = 3. P63 =
LB = LB =
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
= =
100 100
Cfb =
Cfb =
𝑓𝑃𝑘 =
𝑓𝑃𝑘 =
i=
i=
 2. P57 = 4. P95 =
LB = LB =
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
= =
100 100
Cfb = Cfb =
𝑓𝑃𝑘 = 𝑓𝑃𝑘 =
i= i=

ACTIVITY 3: TEST YOURSELF

The table is the distribution of the number of mistakes 42 students made in
solving 20 arithmetic sequence. Complete the table and calculate the P 8, P45, P66
and P89 of the number of mistakes given the frequency.

N Frequency <cf

umber of Mistakes
18-20 2
15-17 6
12-14 4
9-11 5
6-8 7
3-5 14
0-2 12

a. P30 = c. P68 =

b. P45 = d. P89 =

WRAP–
UP
Percentiles are values that divide a set of data into 100 equal groups. There
are 99 percentiles which are denoted by P1, P2…,P99. In such organization of data, 1% falls below
P1, 2% below falls P2 and so n, 99% falls below P99. The kth percentile denoted by Pk is computed
as follows:

𝑘𝑁
− 𝑐𝑓
𝑃𝑘 = 𝐿𝐵 + (100) 𝑖𝑏
𝑓𝑃𝑘

where: LB = lower boundary of the Pk class N = total frequency

cfb = cumulative frequency before the Pk class
𝑓𝑃𝑘= frequency of the Pk class i = size of class interval
k = nth percentile where n= 1, 2, 3,…, 97, 98, and 99
 VALUING
It is ironic; the only inevitable thing in this life is
change. With the changing times comes the new normal, a
historic phenomenon that challenges all norms, including
the educational system. Since face-to-face instruction is not
possible, students and teachers have to resort to meeting in
a virtual room, which some describe as more of a curse
than a blessing. It may also affect the individual
performances. There are also concerns that the gap between
high- and low-achieving students will become larger. As a
student how can you learn best even with the treat of the
pandemic?

POSTTEST
The frequency distribution presented below shows
the Mathematics test score of 50 students. Read each
statement carefully. Encircle the letter that corresponds to
the correct answer.

Score Frequency <cf

46-50 4
41-45 8
36-40 11
31-35 9
26-30 12
21-25 6

1. The upper quartile score is also the .

A. 90th percentile C. 50th percentile
B. 75th percentile D. 25th percentile

2. In solving for the 25th percentile, the lower

boundary is . A. 20.5 B.
25.5 C. 30.5 D.
35.5
3. What cumulative frequency should be used
in solving for the 66th percentile?
 A. 38 B. 40 C. 46 D. 50

4. The 35th percentile is .

A. 30.29 B. 44.88 C. 50.3 D.
60.6

5. The 90th percentile is .

A. 41.3 B. 42.6 C. 43.9 D.
44.88