7th Grade Math: Understanding Frequency

Learning about Frequency

What Is Frequency?

In math, frequency is the number of times a specific number value appears in a set of data. In 7th grade, you'll see a set of numbers, like {4,4,4,5,7,7,8,8,9}. You'll then have to identify which number has the highest or lowest frequency. The highest frequency number is called the mode. This type of math question appears in various forms in more advanced math as well as at the junior high level.

Practice Problems

Word problems can help place frequency math in a realistic context, which makes it easier to understand. Read the following questions and try to answer them quickly. Afterward, go over them slowly to be sure you got the correct answer.

1. Amy works at the video store, and she has to decide which movies to order extra copies of. The new action movie was rented 7 times in the last month. The new romantic comedy was rented 9 times and the latest drama was rented 12 times. Which film has the highest frequency?
2. Lenny and Michael decided to have a physical competition. They each had to do push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups for five minutes. Whoever completed the most exercises overall would win the contest. Lenny did 25 push-ups, 5 chin-ups and 18 sit-ups. Michael completed 19 push-ups, 3 chin-ups and 45 sit-ups. Who had the highest overall frequency?
3. Bridget was playing bingo at Sam's Bingo House on Saturday night. Her card listed the numbers 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 9, 9, 9, 12, 10, 10, 10, 10. The announcer never called a 3 or a 9. What number that the announcer called out had the highest frequency on Bridget's card?

Answers

1. The new drama.
2. Michael.
3. 10

Take a Poll

You can also practice frequency by taking a poll of your classmates. For example, you can rank the frequency of classmates who love strawberries, apples and bananas to determine which fruit is more popular. To help you keep track of this information, create a table. Write the types of fruits on the left-hand side and tally the amount of students who like each type on the right side.