What does a percent frequency distribution represent?

A percent frequency distribution is a statistical tool that communicates the percentage of observations that fall within various categories of a dataset. This representation provides a clearer understanding of the proportion of each category relative to the entire dataset, allowing for easy comparison between categories.

When constructing a percent frequency distribution, the total number of observations is calculated, and then the count of observations in each category is divided by the total number of observations, often multiplied by 100 to convert it into a percentage. This method highlights not just how many observations belong to a category, but rather how significant each category is as a part of the whole.

This type of distribution is particularly useful in categorical data analysis because it allows viewers to grasp the relative frequencies of different groups quickly. For instance, if you're analyzing survey data and want to understand how many respondents fall into various age groups, the percent frequency distribution will reveal what percentage of the total respondents are represented in each age category.

Thus, the correct representation of a percent frequency distribution is its ability to show the percentage of observations within categories, making it an essential concept in data analysis and interpretation.