MA.912.DP.3.2

Given marginal and conditional relative frequencies, construct a two-way relative frequency table summarizing categorical bivariate data.

Examples

Algebra 1 Example: A study shows that 9% of the population have diabetes and 91% do not. The study also shows that 95% of the people who do not have diabetes, test negative on a diabetes test while 80% who do have diabetes, test positive. Based on the given information, the following relative frequency table can be constructed.
 PositiveNegativeTotal
Has diabetes 7.2%1.8%9%
 Doesn't have diabetes 4.55%86.45%91%

 

 

 

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Construction includes cases where not all frequencies are given but enough are provided to be able to construct a two-way relative frequency table.

Clarification 2: Instruction includes the use of a tree diagram when calculating relative frequencies to construct tables.

General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 912
Strand: Data Analysis and Probability
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

  • Categorical data 
  • Bivariate data 
  • Conditional relative frequency 
  • Joint relative frequency

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

Next Benchmarks

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

In grades 7 and 8, students have not worked specifically with two-way tables, however, they have examined sample spaces and utilized tree diagrams to create a sample space. In Algebra I, students began to explore two-way tables. In Mathematics for College Statistics, students work with bivariate numerical data and bivariate categorical data. When analyzing bivariate categorical data, students should utilize two-way tables to summarize results and to determine possible associations. 
  • Instruction of constructing relative frequency two-way tables is interwoven with instruction on two-way tables using frequencies. A two-way table can also be referred to as a contingency table or joint frequency table. 
  • Instruction relates the relative frequencies to the probabilities for the events summarized in the table and that the sum of the joint relative frequencies should add to be 100%. 
  • As noted in the clarifications, students should be given some of the values and use the properties of two-way tables to find the missing values. Emphasize that the joint relative frequencies can be added vertically and horizontally to find the total row and total column. 
  • As noted in the clarifications, tree diagrams can be used as an alternative display. One of the categorical variables is used for the initial separation and then the other categorical variable is used for a secondary separation. 
    • For example, the two-way table from the example in the benchmark would relate to the tree diagram below.

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students may try to input a given conditional relative frequency in place of the joint relative frequency in the two -way table. Constructing the tree diagram can help with this. 
  • Students may leave off the total row or total column in a contingency table. 
  • Students may have difficulty when relative frequencies are given in decimal form. 
  • Students may be unable to correctly construct a two-way table if given a tree-diagram specially because the middle branch of percentages does not appear in the table at all.

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 (MTR.2.1, MTR.4.1, MTR.7.1
  • Suppose that 3% of Olympians have taken a banned performance-enhancing substance. If an Olympian has used one of these substances, he or she has a 95% chance of receiving a positive drug test. If an Olympian has not taken one of these substances, he or she has a 2% chance of receiving a positive drug test. 
    • Part A. Construct either the corresponding relative frequency two-way table or the tree diagram for the scenario. 
    • Part B. Using your two-way table, what is the relative frequency of a false positive - a positive drug test for someone who has not used a banned performance- enhancing substance? 
    • Part C. Have a class discussion about the benefits or drawbacks of using the different diagrams from Part A. 


Instructional Task 2 (MTR.6.1, MTR.7.1

           

  • The dean of science and math at a Florida college looks at the relative frequencies of students at her campus who are science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors; who are non-STEM students; who are honors students; and who are non-honors students. Some of the relative frequencies from her findings are in the tree diagram above. 
    • Part A. Fill in the missing components of the tree diagram. Do your results make sense? Justify your reasoning. 
    • Part B. Use the tree diagram to construct a relative frequency table for this information. 
    • Part C. What are the two categorical variables being studied?

 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1 
  • A study shows that about 4% of men develop the skin cancer melanoma in their lifetime. Current medical testing is not always completely accurate. In cases where a man actually had melanoma, his test result came back positive about 92% of the time. In a case where a man did not actually have melanoma, his test came back positive about 1% of the time. Complete the table.

*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1200320: Algebra 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1200400: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 9-12 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1210300: Probability and Statistics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1210305: Mathematics for College Statistics (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1200388: Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1200384: Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7912120: Access Mathematics for Data and Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.912.DP.3.AP.2: Given the marginal relative frequencies and a partially completed two-way table, calculate one missing value per row and/or per column.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

What's Your Story?: Exploring Marginal and Conditional Distributions Through Social Networks:

In this interactive lesson, students explore marginal and conditional distributions. Students will calculate the relative frequency of data collected about cell phone use and social media access. These categories can be adjusted as necessary.

Type: Lesson Plan

It's Your Choice:

In groups, students will analyze associations between categorical data by constructing two-way frequency tables and two-way relative frequency tables. Students will analyze and interpret the results and present their findings to their classmates.

Type: Lesson Plan

Breakfast for Champions?:

Students will create and interpret two-way frequency tables using joint, marginal, and conditional frequencies in context. They will investigate whether breakfast is for champions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Are you a CrimiNole or Gatorbait? Two rivalries in one table!:

This is an introduction to two-way frequency tables. The lesson will be delivered using a PowerPoint presentation. The teacher will introduce and define joint and marginal frequency, demonstrate how two-way frequency tables are constructed from a given set of data, calculate relative frequencies, and draw conclusions based on the information in the table. Students will practice these skills through guided practice with the teacher, independent practice, and complete a summative assessment to measure student learning. All resources, including the PowerPoint, have been provided.

Type: Lesson Plan

Legos, Lunch, and Lollipops: an introduction to two-way frequency tables:

Students will learn how to read, complete, and interpret two-way frequency tables.

Type: Lesson Plan

Student Resources

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Parent Resources

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