Proportions

In statistics we often use percentages but it is not uncommon to use proportions when presenting figures. One definition of proportion is a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole://the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is rising// (Oxford dictionary, 2011) When finding the proportional figure of a variable the following formula is used:

proportion: p = f/N

Where f = Frequency,or the number of cases in any catagory N = The number of cases in all catagories Make note of the fact that the formula for proportions is the same as the formula to find percentages, only dropping the last step of times by 100.