Exercises: Construct and Interpret Two-Way Frequency Tables
Work through each section in order. Read each two-way table carefully and decide which total is the correct denominator BEFORE computing: the grand total for marginal and joint probabilities, but a single row or column total for a conditional probability. Write probabilities as fractions or decimals, and remember that probabilities read from sample data are ESTIMATES, not exact values.
Warm-Up: Reading a Two-Way Table
These problems review reading totals and relative frequencies from a table.
A survey classifies 120 students by grade and favorite subject.
| Math | Science | English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 18 | 24 | 18 | 60 |
| 11th grade | 22 | 16 | 22 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120 |
In this table, what does the number 24 represent?
Use the same table.
| Math | Science | English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 18 | 24 | 18 | 60 |
| 11th grade | 22 | 16 | 22 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120 |
A complete two-way table passes a structural check. Which statement is the correct check?
Fluency Practice
Compute each probability from the given table. Choose the correct denominator before you compute.
A pet survey records, for 50 people, whether they own a dog and whether they own a cat. Two cells are missing.
| Owns Cat | No Cat | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owns Dog | 12 | 13 | ? |
| No Dog | 8 | 17 | 25 |
| Total | 20 | ? | 50 |
What is the Owns Dog row total (the cell marked "?" in that row)?
Use the favorite-subject table.
| Math | Science | English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 18 | 24 | 18 | 60 |
| 11th grade | 22 | 16 | 22 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120 |
Find the JOINT probability for a randomly selected student. Give your answer as a fraction in lowest terms.
Use the favorite-subject table.
| Math | Science | English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 18 | 24 | 18 | 60 |
| 11th grade | 22 | 16 | 22 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120 |
Find the MARGINAL probability for a randomly selected student. Give your answer as a fraction in lowest terms.
Use the favorite-subject table.
| Math | Science | English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 18 | 24 | 18 | 60 |
| 11th grade | 22 | 16 | 22 | 60 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120 |
Find the CONDITIONAL probability .
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