Two-Way Tables and Relative Frequencies in AP Statistics
A lesson in two-way tables for two categorical variables that moves from intuition and definitions to worked reasoning, error correction, and independent practice.
Lesson Goals: Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency
Joint proportions use the grand total, marginal proportions use row or column totals over the grand total, and conditional proportions use the stated subgroup total as denominator.
Two-way frequency tables
Two-way frequency tables in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+16)=0.600. Compare it with row B's 0.426; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Two-way frequency tables in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for an online-course completion sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,16), B=(20,27). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Two-way frequency tables in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Two-way frequency tables in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Joint relative frequency
Joint relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+16)=0.590. Compare it with row B's 0.413; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Joint relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(23,16), B=(19,27). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Joint relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Joint relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Marginal relative frequency
Marginal relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+15)=0.559. Compare it with row B's 0.480; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Marginal relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,15), B=(24,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Marginal relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Marginal relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Conditional relative frequency
Conditional relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 25/(25+20)=0.556. Compare it with row B's 0.405; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Conditional relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a battery-life laboratory trial has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(25,20), B=(17,25). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Conditional relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Conditional relative frequency in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Association
Association in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+14)=0.611. Compare it with row B's 0.488; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Association in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,14), B=(21,22). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Association in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Association in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Worked tables
Worked tables in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+13)=0.639. Compare it with row B's 0.444; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Worked tables in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(23,13), B=(24,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Worked tables in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Worked tables in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Common interpretation errors
Common interpretation errors in two way tables and relative frequency: The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+20)=0.524. Compare it with row B's 0.404; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation.
Worked reasoning
For Common interpretation errors in two way tables and relative frequency, A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,20), B=(19,28). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
When the idea is valid
For Common interpretation errors in two way tables and relative frequency, Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
Misconception to remove
For Common interpretation errors in two way tables and relative frequency, reject this error: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Formula and Notation Reference
Conditional relative frequency
Conditional relative frequency in Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency: Define the event or random variable first; complements, conditioning, and trial assumptions determine which probability expression applies.
Guided, Independent and Challenge Practice
Every question in Two-Way Tables and Relative Frequencies in AP Statistics is newly written from the revised framework and the logic visible in public College Board materials. Constructed numerical settings are identified as instructional scenarios and are never represented as measurements from a real population. No released or secure question wording is reproduced.
Easy Practice
Easy 1: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-1. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,12), B=(21,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-1. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+12)=0.647. Compare it with row B's 0.447; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 81 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 2: Association
Question P27-Easy-2. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a campus dining survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,15), B=(19,29). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-2. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+15)=0.559. Compare it with row B's 0.396; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 82 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 3: Worked tables
Question P27-Easy-3. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a water-filtration experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,19), B=(16,21). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-3. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+19)=0.525. Compare it with row B's 0.432; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 77 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 4: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Easy-4. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a water-filtration experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(23,18), B=(14,20). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-4. The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+18)=0.561. Compare it with row B's 0.412; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 75 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 5: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Easy-5. A constructed 2 by 2 table for an online-course completion sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,15), B=(20,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-5. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+15)=0.643. Compare it with row B's 0.435; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 88 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 6: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-6. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a recycling-behavior survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(28,15), B=(22,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-6. The row-A conditional proportion is 28/(28+15)=0.651. Compare it with row B's 0.458; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 91 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 7: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-7. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a classroom memory study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,16), B=(20,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-7. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+16)=0.568. Compare it with row B's 0.400; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 87 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 8: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-8. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a seedling-growth comparison has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,19), B=(23,21). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-8. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+19)=0.558. Compare it with row B's 0.523; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 87 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 9: Association
Question P27-Easy-9. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(29,13), B=(23,27). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-9. The row-A conditional proportion is 29/(29+13)=0.690. Compare it with row B's 0.460; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 92 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 10: Worked tables
Question P27-Easy-10. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a battery-life laboratory trial has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,17), B=(15,25). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-10. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+17)=0.564. Compare it with row B's 0.375; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 79 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 11: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Easy-11. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a website response-time study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(20,18), B=(22,23). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-11. The row-A conditional proportion is 20/(20+18)=0.526. Compare it with row B's 0.489; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 83 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 12: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Easy-12. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a water-filtration experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(18,19), B=(23,27). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-12. The row-A conditional proportion is 18/(18+19)=0.486. Compare it with row B's 0.460; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 87 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 13: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-13. A constructed 2 by 2 table for an online-course completion sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,16), B=(21,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-13. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+16)=0.600. Compare it with row B's 0.412; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 91 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 14: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-14. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a reading-speed investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,12), B=(15,29). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-14. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+12)=0.667. Compare it with row B's 0.341; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 80 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 15: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Easy-15. A constructed 2 by 2 table for an online-course completion sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,14), B=(22,28). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-15. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+14)=0.659. Compare it with row B's 0.440; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 91 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Easy 16: Association
Question P27-Easy-16. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a campus dining survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,19), B=(19,24). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Easy-16. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+19)=0.558. Compare it with row B's 0.442; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 86 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough Practice
Tough 1: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-1. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a commuter route study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,18), B=(18,23). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-1. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+18)=0.514. Compare it with row B's 0.439; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 78 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 2: Association
Question P27-Tough-2. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a seedling-growth comparison has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,16), B=(15,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-2. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+16)=0.579. Compare it with row B's 0.333; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 83 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 3: Worked tables
Question P27-Tough-3. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a campus dining survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,14), B=(23,25). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-3. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+14)=0.600. Compare it with row B's 0.479; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 83 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 4: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Tough-4. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a city bus arrival investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,20), B=(17,28). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-4. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+20)=0.524. Compare it with row B's 0.378; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 87 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 5: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Tough-5. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a city bus arrival investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(28,19), B=(20,24). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-5. The row-A conditional proportion is 28/(28+19)=0.596. Compare it with row B's 0.455; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 91 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 6: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-6. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a website response-time study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,14), B=(21,31). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-6. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+14)=0.611. Compare it with row B's 0.404; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 88 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 7: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-7. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a commuter route study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,12), B=(18,20). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-7. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+12)=0.692. Compare it with row B's 0.474; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 77 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 8: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-8. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(22,14), B=(14,34). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-8. The row-A conditional proportion is 22/(22+14)=0.611. Compare it with row B's 0.292; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 84 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 9: Association
Question P27-Tough-9. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a greenhouse germination experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,14), B=(21,28). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-9. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+14)=0.576. Compare it with row B's 0.429; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 82 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 10: Worked tables
Question P27-Tough-10. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a water-filtration experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(24,12), B=(14,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-10. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+12)=0.667. Compare it with row B's 0.350; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 76 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 11: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Tough-11. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a greenhouse germination experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(20,12), B=(18,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-11. The row-A conditional proportion is 20/(20+12)=0.625. Compare it with row B's 0.409; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 76 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 12: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Tough-12. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(30,18), B=(18,23). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-12. The row-A conditional proportion is 30/(30+18)=0.625. Compare it with row B's 0.439; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 89 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 13: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-13. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(25,17), B=(19,34). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-13. The row-A conditional proportion is 25/(25+17)=0.595. Compare it with row B's 0.358; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 95 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 14: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-14. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(30,17), B=(14,25). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-14. The row-A conditional proportion is 30/(30+17)=0.638. Compare it with row B's 0.359; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 86 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 15: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Tough-15. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a city bus arrival investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,18), B=(22,32). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-15. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+18)=0.538. Compare it with row B's 0.407; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 93 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Tough 16: Association
Question P27-Tough-16. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a campus dining survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(23,19), B=(18,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Tough-16. The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+19)=0.548. Compare it with row B's 0.375; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 90 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest Practice
Toughest 1: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-1. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a reading-speed investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(20,16), B=(17,27). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-1. The row-A conditional proportion is 20/(20+16)=0.556. Compare it with row B's 0.386; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 80 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 2: Association
Question P27-Toughest-2. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a water-filtration experiment has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(30,20), B=(20,34). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-2. The row-A conditional proportion is 30/(30+20)=0.600. Compare it with row B's 0.370; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 104 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 3: Worked tables
Question P27-Toughest-3. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a classroom memory study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,20), B=(19,31). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-3. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+20)=0.574. Compare it with row B's 0.380; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 97 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 4: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Toughest-4. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a quality-control inspection has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,12), B=(17,23). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-4. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+12)=0.636. Compare it with row B's 0.425; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 73 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 5: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Toughest-5. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a public-parks visitor survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,20), B=(14,22). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-5. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+20)=0.574. Compare it with row B's 0.389; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 83 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 6: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-6. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a public-parks visitor survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(20,19), B=(23,33). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-6. The row-A conditional proportion is 20/(20+19)=0.513. Compare it with row B's 0.411; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 95 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 7: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-7. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a city bus arrival investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(27,17), B=(21,25). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-7. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+17)=0.614. Compare it with row B's 0.457; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 90 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 8: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-8. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a city bus arrival investigation has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,16), B=(19,24). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-8. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+16)=0.543. Compare it with row B's 0.442; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 78 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 9: Association
Question P27-Toughest-9. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(28,12), B=(15,32). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-9. The row-A conditional proportion is 28/(28+12)=0.700. Compare it with row B's 0.319; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 87 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 10: Worked tables
Question P27-Toughest-10. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a school library checkout study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(26,12), B=(19,29). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-10. The row-A conditional proportion is 26/(26+12)=0.684. Compare it with row B's 0.396; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 86 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 11: Common interpretation errors
Question P27-Toughest-11. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a package-delivery sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(18,19), B=(23,30). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-11. The row-A conditional proportion is 18/(18+19)=0.486. Compare it with row B's 0.434; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 90 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 12: Two-way frequency tables
Question P27-Toughest-12. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a campus dining survey has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(23,14), B=(15,31). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-12. The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+14)=0.622. Compare it with row B's 0.326; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 83 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 13: Joint relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-13. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a classroom memory study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(21,19), B=(18,21). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-13. The row-A conditional proportion is 21/(21+19)=0.525. Compare it with row B's 0.462; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 79 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 14: Marginal relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-14. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a website response-time study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(30,15), B=(20,26). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-14. The row-A conditional proportion is 30/(30+15)=0.667. Compare it with row B's 0.435; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 91 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 15: Conditional relative frequency
Question P27-Toughest-15. A constructed 2 by 2 table for an online-course completion sample has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(25,14), B=(18,22). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-15. The row-A conditional proportion is 25/(25+14)=0.641. Compare it with row B's 0.450; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 79 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
Toughest 16: Association
Question P27-Toughest-16. A constructed 2 by 2 table for a website response-time study has rows A/B and columns Yes/No: A=(19,13), B=(20,21). Find the conditional Yes proportion in row A and assess association.
Worked solution and validity check
Worked solution P27-Toughest-16. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+13)=0.594. Compare it with row B's 0.488; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The grand total 73 is not the conditional denominator. Interpretation: The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. Validity: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. Error to reject: Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency.
AP Response and Publication Checklist
| Audit point | Required evidence for two way tables and relative frequency |
|---|---|
| Scope | Condition on the correct row or column denominator and keep P26 one-variable only. |
| Method or source | Joint proportions use the grand total, marginal proportions use row or column totals over the grand total, and conditional proportions use the stated subgroup total as denominator. |
| Calculation | The grand total 89 is not the conditional denominator. |
| Interpretation | The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. |
| Validity | Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column. |
| Correction | Dividing by the grand total produces a joint relative frequency, not a conditional relative frequency. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does two-way frequency tables work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Two-way frequency tables. The row-A conditional proportion is 30/(30+16)=0.652. Compare it with row B's 0.348; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does joint relative frequency work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Joint relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 19/(19+17)=0.528. Compare it with row B's 0.380; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does marginal relative frequency work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Marginal relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 27/(27+13)=0.675. Compare it with row B's 0.455; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does conditional relative frequency work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Conditional relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 26/(26+12)=0.684. Compare it with row B's 0.545; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does association work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Association. The row-A conditional proportion is 24/(24+16)=0.600. Compare it with row B's 0.523; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does worked tables work in two way tables and relative frequency?
Answer for two way tables and relative frequency and Worked tables. The row-A conditional proportion is 23/(23+19)=0.548. Compare it with row B's 0.426; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. The required validity evidence is: Use the group named after the conditioning bar as the denominator and report which variable defines each row and column.
How does two way frequency and relative frequency tables connect to Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency?
two way frequency and relative frequency tables within two way tables and relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 18/(18+20)=0.474. Compare it with row B's 0.340; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. For Two-way frequency tables, the controlling scope is: Condition on the correct row or column denominator and keep P26 one-variable only.
How does two way tables and relative frequency worksheet connect to Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency?
two way tables and relative frequency worksheet within two way tables and relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 25/(25+12)=0.676. Compare it with row B's 0.408; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. For Joint relative frequency, the controlling scope is: Condition on the correct row or column denominator and keep P26 one-variable only.
How does two way tables and relative frequency worksheet pdf connect to Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency?
two way tables and relative frequency worksheet pdf within two way tables and relative frequency. The row-A conditional proportion is 26/(26+16)=0.619. Compare it with row B's 0.375; unequal conditional proportions indicate association in the table. The comparison concerns distributions within row groups and does not by itself establish causation. For Marginal relative frequency, the controlling scope is: Condition on the correct row or column denominator and keep P26 one-variable only.
Sources
Administrative and curricular statements in Two-Way Tables and Relative Frequencies in AP Statistics were checked on July 18, 2026. The linked College Board pages control any later policy change; all instructional datasets in original questions are explicitly constructed rather than attributed to a real study.
Two Way Tables And Relative Frequency Conclusion
Joint proportions use the grand total, marginal proportions use row or column totals over the grand total, and conditional proportions use the stated subgroup total as denominator. Mastery of two way tables and relative frequency therefore requires the exact evidence, mathematics, interpretation, and scope developed in this guide, while preserving this boundary: Condition on the correct row or column denominator and keep P26 one-variable only.