👤 By Why Calculator Team ✔ Reviewed by Matt Le (Founder of Why Calculator) 📅 Last Updated October 06, 2025
Relative Frequency Calculator
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The Relative Frequency Calculator is designed to help you understand how often an event occurs in relation to the total number of trials. If you’re working with data in science experiments, sports statistics, or quality control, this calculator quickly helps you find relative frequency. Just enter the number of successes and the total trials to see the proportion and percentage of occurrences right away.
It simplifies the concept of probability through real-life application, making it especially useful for students, researchers, and data enthusiasts.
What is Relative Frequency?
Relative frequency shows how often a specific event happens compared to the total number of observations or trials. It expresses frequency as a proportion or percentage of the whole.
In contrast to theoretical probability, which depends on anticipated results, relative frequency is grounded in real-world data.
Formula
Relative Frequency (RF) = Number of Successes (S) / Total Number of Trials (T)
- S = Number of times the event occurred (successes)
- T = Total number of trials or observations
- The result is typically a decimal or a percentage.
Example 1: Coin Toss
Suppose you flip a coin 100 times, and it lands on heads 56 times.
- S = 56
- T = 100
RF = 56 / 100 = 0.56
This means the relative frequency of getting heads is 0.56 or 56%.
Example 2: Student Survey
In a class of 30 students, 12 students prefer math to other subjects.
- S = 12
- T = 30
RF = 12 / 30 = 0.4
So, 40% of the students prefer math.
FAQ
Can relative frequency be greater than 1?
No. Since relative frequency is calculated as a ratio (successes Ă· total trials), its value will always be between 0 and 1 (or 0% to 100%).
What is a real-life example of relative frequency?
If a basketball player makes 45 out of 60 free throws, their relative frequency of success is 45 Ă· 60 = 0.75 or 75%. This gives a practical measure of performance.
Why should I use a calculator for relative frequency?
A calculator helps ensure quick, error-free calculations—especially when dealing with large datasets.
Can I use this calculator for survey or experiment results?
Yes! This tool is perfect for surveys, experiments, or any situation where you want to compare the number of successful outcomes to the total number of trials.