In a relative frequency distribution, what should the relative frequencies add up to?

Select the correct choice and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice.

A. The relative frequencies add up to ___.

B. The relative frequencies add up to the total number of observations.

A. 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The relative frequency is calculated by dividing the frequency of respective class to the total frequency. i. e R. f=f/∑f.

Hence, the relative frequencies can never be add up to total number of observations because it is computed from taking the proportion of frequency and total number of observation. The relative frequencies thus add up to 1.

For example we are given the frequencies for 3 classes as 6,4,2 and computed relative frequencies of these 3 classes are 6/12, 4/12 and 2/12.

Now adding these three relative frequencies 6/12+4/12+2/12=6+4+2/12=12/12=1.

Thus, the relative frequencies add up to 1.