Relative frequency relates directly to trials taking place (as part of an experiment, or measuring practical results).
Relative frequency = `frac(text(number of indicative trials))(text(total number of trials))`. The term indicative trials is the trial that is being measured; for example, measuring the number of 6s when throwing a dice.
To improve the accuracy of the relative frequency obtained by a set of trials, increase the number of trials being conducted. For example, 1000 trials will give a far more accurate value of a relative frequency than 20 trials.
Sam has written a computer program that generates a random number. The random numbers are always 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The results are shown below after he had tested it 200 times.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Frequency | 38 | 36 | 32 | 25 | 69 |
Is the random number generator truly random?
There appears to be a bias towards 5 being generated.
Answer: No
A d12 (12-sided) dice is known to be biased. It is rolled 1000 times. A 12 is obtained 78 times. What is the relative frequency for throwing a 12?
Relative frequency = `frac(text(number of indicative trials))(text(total number of trials))`
Relative frequency = `frac(78)(1000)` = 0.078
Answer: 0.078