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    Mode of Grouped and Ungrouped Data: Definition, Formula, Calculator

    Mode of Grouped and Ungrouped Data: Definition, Formula, Calculator

    Hitesh SahuUpdated on 01 Jun 2026, 02:26 PM IST

    Mode is one of the most important measures of central tendency in statistics and is used to identify the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. For example, if the marks scored by students are 12, 15, 15, 18, and 20, then 15 is the mode because it occurs the most. In mathematics and statistics, mode helps us understand patterns, trends, and the most common observation in a set of values. It is widely used in school mathematics, data handling, business analysis, and research. Questions based on mode are commonly asked in Class 9-10 Maths, statistics chapters, and competitive exams like SSC, Bank, CUET, CAT, and other quantitative aptitude tests. In this article, we will understand the mode of grouped and ungrouped data, formulas, solved examples, and how to calculate it easily using a mode calculator.

    Mode of Grouped and Ungrouped Data: Definition, Formula, Calculator
    Mode of grouped and ungrouped data

    1726632771273

    What is Mode in Statistics?

    Mode is one of the most important measures of central tendency in statistics. It represents the value that occurs most frequently in a dataset. In simple words, mode tells us which observation repeats the most.

    It is widely used in mathematics, statistics, business analysis, surveys, and research to identify the most common value or trend in a group of data.

    Mode Meaning in Simple Words

    Mode is the value that appears the maximum number of times in a set of data.

    If one observation occurs more frequently than all others, that observation is called the mode.

    For example:

    $2,\ 4,\ 4,\ 6,\ 7,\ 4,\ 8$

    Here, 4 appears three times, while the other numbers appear once.

    Therefore:

    Mode $= 4$

    Real-Life Example of Mode

    Mode is useful in everyday situations where we want to identify the most common item or repeated value.

    Examples include:

    • most popular shoe size in a store
    • most common exam score in a class
    • most ordered food item in a restaurant
    • most preferred mobile brand in a survey

    Suppose students choose their favourite fruit:

    Apple, Mango, Banana, Mango, Orange, Mango

    Since Mango appears most frequently,

    Mode = Mango

    Why Mode is Important in Statistics

    Mode helps us understand what occurs most often in a dataset. It is useful when identifying common patterns, repeated responses, or popular choices.

    Mode is important because:

    • easy to understand and calculate
    • shows the most frequent observation
    • useful for both numbers and categories
    • helps identify trends in data
    • commonly used in surveys and business reports

    Mode of Ungrouped Data

    Ungrouped data means data listed in its original form without class intervals. To find mode in ungrouped data, we simply identify the value with the highest frequency.

    Definition of Mode of Ungrouped Data

    The mode of ungrouped data is the observation that appears most frequently among all the values.

    If no number repeats, then the data may have no mode.

    How to Find Mode in Ungrouped Data

    To calculate mode in ungrouped data:

    1. Write all observations clearly
    2. Count how many times each value appears
    3. Find the value with maximum frequency
    4. That value is the mode

    Solved Examples of Mode of Ungrouped Data

    Example 1

    Find the mode of:

    $3,\ 5,\ 7,\ 5,\ 8,\ 5,\ 2,\ 7$

    Solution

    Frequency table:

    ObservationFrequency
    21
    31
    53
    72
    81

    5 occurs most frequently.

    Therefore:

    Mode $= 5$

    Example 2

    Find the mode of:

    $12,\ 15,\ 15,\ 18,\ 20,\ 15,\ 12$

    Solution

    ObservationFrequency
    122
    153
    181
    201

    Hence,

    Mode $= 15$

    Mode of Grouped Data

    When observations are arranged into class intervals along with frequencies, it is called grouped data. In this case, mode is found using a formula.

    Definition of Mode of Grouped Data

    The mode of grouped data is the value corresponding to the class interval having the highest frequency.

    The class with the highest frequency is called the modal class.

    Mode Formula for Grouped Data

    The formula for mode of grouped data is:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    Where:

    SymbolMeaning
    $l$Lower limit of modal class
    $f_1$Frequency of modal class
    $f_0$Frequency preceding modal class
    $f_2$Frequency succeeding modal class
    $h$Class width

    How to Calculate Mode of Grouped Data Step by Step

    Follow these steps:

    1. Identify the class with the highest frequency
    2. This class is the modal class
    3. Write the values of $l$, $f_1$, $f_0$, $f_2$, and $h$
    4. Substitute in the formula
    5. Simplify to get the mode

    Solved Examples of Mode of Grouped Data

    Example

    Find the mode of the following grouped data:

    Class IntervalFrequency
    0-105
    10-208
    20-3012
    30-407
    40-503

    Solution

    Highest frequency = 12

    So modal class = $20-30$

    Thus:

    $l = 20$

    $f_1 = 12$

    $f_0 = 8$

    $f_2 = 7$

    $h = 10$

    Using formula:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    $= 20 + \frac{12-8}{2(12)-8-7}\times10$

    $= 20 + \frac{4}{24-15}\times10$

    $= 20 + \frac{4}{9}\times10$

    $= 20 + 4.44$

    $= 24.44$

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 24.44$

    Formula for Mode

    The formula for mode depends on whether the data is ungrouped or grouped. For ungrouped data, mode can be found by observation, while for grouped data, we use a mathematical formula.

    Knowing the correct mode formula makes it easier to solve statistics questions in school exams and quantitative aptitude.

    Mode Formula for Ungrouped Data

    For ungrouped data, there is no fixed algebraic formula. We simply identify the value that occurs most frequently.

    Mode = Observation with highest frequency

    Example

    Find the mode of:

    $5,\ 7,\ 8,\ 7,\ 9,\ 7,\ 10$

    Frequency:

    ObservationFrequency
    51
    73
    81
    91
    101

    Since 7 appears most often,

    Mode $= 7$

    Mode Formula for Grouped Data

    For grouped frequency distribution, mode is calculated using the formula:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    This formula gives the approximate value of the mode from grouped data.

    Meaning of $l$, $f_1$, $f_0$, $f_2$, and $h$ in the Formula

    Each term in the grouped data mode formula has a specific meaning.

    SymbolMeaning
    $l$Lower limit of modal class
    $f_1$Frequency of modal class
    $f_0$Frequency of class before modal class
    $f_2$Frequency of class after modal class
    $h$Class size or class width

    Quick Reference Table

    SymbolExample Value
    $l$20
    $f_1$15
    $f_0$9
    $f_2$7
    $h$10

    How to Calculate Mode?

    Finding mode is one of the easiest topics in statistics. The method depends on whether the data is grouped or ungrouped.

    Steps to Find Mode for Ungrouped Data

    Follow these steps:

    1. Write all observations clearly
    2. Count how many times each value appears
    3. Identify the value with highest frequency
    4. That value is the mode

    Example

    Data:

    $4,\ 6,\ 7,\ 6,\ 8,\ 6,\ 10$

    6 appears 3 times.

    Therefore:

    Mode $= 6$

    Steps to Find Mode for Grouped Data

    For grouped data:

    1. Prepare the frequency table
    2. Identify the class with highest frequency
    3. Mark it as the modal class
    4. Note $l,\ f_1,\ f_0,\ f_2,\ h$
    5. Use the formula:

      $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    6. Simplify to get the answer

    How to Identify the Modal Class

    The modal class is the class interval with the highest frequency.

    Example

    Class IntervalFrequency
    10-205
    20-309
    30-4014
    40-507

    Highest frequency = 14

    Therefore:

    Modal Class = $30-40$

    Once modal class is identified, use its lower limit and frequencies in the formula.

    Mode Calculator

    A mode calculator helps find the mode quickly without manual calculation. It is useful for checking answers and solving long datasets faster.

    What is a Mode Calculator?

    A mode calculator is an online tool that calculates the mode of a given dataset automatically.

    You simply enter:

    • numbers
    • frequency values
    • grouped data intervals

    and the calculator returns the mode instantly.

    How to Use the Mode Calculator

    To use a mode calculator:

    1. Enter the data values
    2. Separate each value using commas
    3. Click Calculate
    4. The tool shows the mode instantly

    For grouped data:

    • enter class intervals
    • enter frequencies
    • calculate mode

    Calculate Mode Online with Example

    Suppose data is:

    $4,\ 5,\ 5,\ 7,\ 8,\ 5,\ 9$

    Input these values into the calculator.

    Since 5 occurs three times,

    Mode $= 5$

    Mode calculators are helpful for students for:

    • homework
    • quick revision
    • checking manual answers
    • statistics practice

    Difference Between Mean, Median, and Mode

    Mean, median, and mode are the three main measures of central tendency. Each represents data differently.

    Mean vs Median vs Mode

    MeasureMeaningFormula / Method
    MeanAverage of observationsSum ÷ Number of observations
    MedianMiddle value of arranged dataMiddle observation
    ModeMost frequent observationHighest frequency value

    Example

    Data:

    $2,\ 3,\ 3,\ 5,\ 7$

    Mean:

    $\frac{2+3+3+5+7}{5}$

    $= \frac{20}{5}$

    $= 4$

    Median:

    Middle value = 3

    Mode:

    Most frequent value = 3

    So:

    • Mean = 4
    • Median = 3
    • Mode = 3

    Which Measure of Central Tendency Should You Use?

    The choice depends on the type of data.

    SituationBest Measure
    To find average marksMean
    To find middle valueMedian
    To find most common valueMode
    For survey or category dataMode
    For skewed dataMedian

    Mode is especially useful when the goal is to identify the most common observation in the dataset.

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    Relation Between Mean, Median, and Mode

    Mean, median, and mode are the three most important measures of central tendency in statistics. These three are connected through an empirical relationship, which is useful when one of the values is missing and the other two are known.

    This relation is widely used in statistics questions in school mathematics, data interpretation, and quantitative aptitude exams.

    Empirical Formula

    The empirical relationship between mean, median, and mode is:

    $Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$

    This formula helps calculate the mode when mean and median are given.

    Formula Written in Terms of Mean

    The above formula can be rearranged to find mean:

    $Mean = \frac{3 \times Median - Mode}{2}$

    This is useful when mode and median are known.

    Formula Written in Terms of Median

    Similarly, the formula can be written to find median:

    $Median = \frac{Mode + 2 \times Mean}{3}$

    This is used when mean and mode are given.

    Important Formula Table

    To FindFormula
    Mode$Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$
    Mean$Mean = \frac{3 \times Median - Mode}{2}$
    Median$Median = \frac{Mode + 2 \times Mean}{3}$

    Solved Example

    Example

    Consider a dataset where:

    Mean $= 50$

    Median $= 48$

    Find the mode.

    Solution

    Using the empirical formula:

    $Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$

    Substitute the values:

    $Mode = 3 \times 48 - 2 \times 50$

    $= 144 - 100$

    $= 44$

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 44$

    Key Points to Remember

    • The empirical formula gives the relationship between mean, median, and mode
    • It is mainly used in moderately skewed distributions
    • If any two values are known, the third can be calculated easily
    • Frequently asked in statistics and quantitative aptitude questions

    This relation is very useful for quick calculations and solving multiple-choice questions based on measures of central tendency.

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    Best Books for Mode

    The books below are useful for understanding mode in statistics, solving grouped and ungrouped data questions, and practicing exam-level problems. They are suitable for both school students and quantitative aptitude preparation.

    Book NameBest ForWhy It Helps
    NCERT Mathematics TextbookClass 9-10 studentsCovers mode, mean, median, and statistics basics with examples
    Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive ExaminationsSSC, Bank, CUET, aptitude examsIncludes statistics concepts with practice questions on mode
    Higher AlgebraAdvanced mathematics learnersUseful for deeper understanding of mathematical statistics
    Objective ArithmeticCompetitive exam preparationGood for MCQs and topic-wise practice
    Statistics for EconomicsStatistics and economics studentsHelpful for practical applications of mode and data analysis

    Shortcut Tips and Tricks to Find Mode

    Mode is usually easy to calculate, but a few shortcut tricks can make it faster, especially in exams with limited time.

    TrickShortcut
    Ungrouped dataCount frequency and pick highest repeated value
    Grouped dataIdentify modal class first, then apply formula
    Modal class shortcutClass interval with highest frequency
    No repeated valueDataset may have no mode
    Two repeated highest valuesDataset is bimodal
    More than two repeated highest valuesDataset is multimodal
    Quick checkingMode must belong to the dataset in ungrouped data

    Tips to Solve Mode Questions Quickly

    These tips can help avoid mistakes while solving statistics questions on mode.

    TipExplanation
    Count carefullySmall frequency mistakes change the answer
    Arrange data clearlyMakes repeated values easier to spot
    Check highest frequency twiceHelps confirm the mode
    Identify modal class before formulaFirst step in grouped data questions
    Write symbol values separatelyHelps avoid substitution mistakes
    Compare with mean and medianUseful in data interpretation questions
    Use calculator for long valuesSaves time in grouped data calculations

    Important Formula Table for Mode

    This quick formula table is useful for revision before exams and solving statistics problems faster.

    ConceptFormula
    Mode of Ungrouped DataObservation with highest frequency
    Mode of Grouped Data$Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$
    Modal ClassClass interval with highest frequency
    Mean$\frac{\sum x}{n}$
    MedianMiddle observation after arranging data
    Empirical Relation$Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$

    This table works well as a quick revision sheet for students preparing for statistics chapters, school exams, and quantitative aptitude tests.

    Practice Questions based on Mode of Grouped and Ungrouped Data

    Q1. The mode of the following data is:

    13, 15, 31, 12, 27, 13, 27, 30, 27, 28, 16

    1. 28
    2. 27
    3. 30
    4. 31

    Hint:

    Mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset.

    Solution:

    Given data:

    $13,\ 15,\ 31,\ 12,\ 27,\ 13,\ 27,\ 30,\ 27,\ 28,\ 16$

    Count frequency of each value:

    NumberFrequency
    121
    132
    151
    161
    273
    281
    301
    311

    27 appears 3 times, which is the highest frequency.

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 27$

    Correct Answer: 27

    Q2. For a sample data, mean = 60 and median = 48. For this distribution, the mode is:

    1. 18
    2. 48
    3. 36
    4. 24

    Hint:

    Use:

    $Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$

    Solution:

    Given:

    Mean $= 60$

    Median $= 48$

    Using formula:

    $Mode = 3 \times Median - 2 \times Mean$

    $= 3 \times 48 - 2 \times 60$

    $= 144 - 120$

    $= 24$

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 24$

    Correct Answer: 24

    Q3. Find the mode for the given distribution (rounded off to two decimal places).

    Class IntervalFrequency
    5-108
    10-157
    15-206
    20-259
    25-3011
    30-3510
    1. 35.25
    2. 40.25
    3. 30.33
    4. 28.33

    Hint:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    Solution:

    Highest frequency = 11

    So modal class = $25-30$

    Therefore:

    $l = 25$

    $f_1 = 11$

    $f_0 = 9$

    $f_2 = 10$

    $h = 5$

    Using formula:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    $= 25 + \frac{11-9}{2(11)-9-10}\times5$

    $= 25 + \frac{2}{22-19}\times5$

    $= 25 + \frac{2}{3}\times5$

    $= 25 + 3.33$

    $= 28.33$

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 28.33$

    Correct Answer: 28.33

    Q4. The following table represents the grouped data for the ages of a sample of people. What is the mode age group?

    Age GroupFrequency
    20-3015
    30-408
    40-5017
    50-6023
    60-7018
    1. 20-30
    2. 30-40
    3. 50-60
    4. 60-70

    Solution:

    The mode age group is the class interval with the highest frequency.

    From the table:

    Highest frequency = 23

    Corresponding age group = $50-60$

    Therefore,

    Mode age group = $50-60$

    Correct Answer: 50-60

    Q5. In a frequency distribution table, the mode is:

    1. The value in the class with the highest frequency
    2. The value in the first class
    3. The value in the last class
    4. The average of all data values

    Solution:

    In a frequency distribution table, the mode is the value corresponding to the class interval with the highest frequency.

    It represents the most frequently occurring observation in the dataset.

    Therefore, mode is determined from the class having maximum frequency.

    Correct Answer: The value in the class with the highest frequency

    Q6. What is the mode of the ungrouped data:

    $18,\ 22,\ 25,\ 18,\ 21,\ 22,\ 22,\ 25,\ 18,\ 25$

    1. 18
    2. 22
    3. 25
    4. All of the above

    Solution:

    Frequency table:

    NumberFrequency
    183
    223
    253
    211

    The highest frequency is 3.

    Values with frequency 3 are:

    • 18
    • 22
    • 25

    Since more than one value has the highest frequency, the data is multimodal.

    Correct Answer: All of the above

    Q7. What is the mode of the given data?

    $5,\ 7,\ 9,\ 7,\ 3,\ 7,\ 5,\ 7,\ 8,\ 6,\ 7$

    1. 7
    2. 6
    3. 5
    4. 3

    Hint:

    Mode is the observation with the highest frequency.

    Solution:

    Given data:

    $5,\ 7,\ 9,\ 7,\ 3,\ 7,\ 5,\ 7,\ 8,\ 6,\ 7$

    Count frequency:

    NumberFrequency
    31
    52
    61
    75
    81
    91

    7 appears 5 times, which is the highest.

    Therefore,

    Mode $= 7$

    Correct Answer: 7

    Related Quantitative Aptitude Topics

    Below are some important quantitative aptitude topics frequently covered in mathematics and aptitude exams. Practicing these topics regularly can help improve concept clarity, calculation accuracy, and overall exam performance.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What is the mode in math?
    A:

    Mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. It represents the most common observation among all the values. Unlike the mean and median, the mode can be used for both numerical and categorical data. A dataset may have one mode (unimodal), more than one mode (bimodal or multimodal), or no mode at all if no number repeats.

    Q: What do you understand by Central tendency?
    A:

    Central tendency refers to the statistical measure that identifies a single value as representative of an entire dataset. This value is considered the central point around which the data tends to cluster.

    Central tendency provides a summary statistic that represents the centre point or typical value of a dataset.

    The three most common measures of central tendency are:

    • Mean

    • Median

    • Mode


    Q: Can there be more than one mode for a set of given data?
    A:

    Yes. There can be more than one mode for a given data set. That set is called Multimodal, which means a set with multiple modes.

    Example: In the dataset, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 4, the most common values are 1 and 3. (both repeat 3 times)

    So, the mode of the dataset is 1 and 3.

    Q: What is range?
    A:

    The difference between the highest and lowest number of a dataset is called the range of that dataset.

    Example:

    In the dataset, 10, 12, 11, 10, 15, 20, 19, 21, 11, 9, 10

    Highest value = 21

    Lowest value = 9

    So, the range of the dataset is 21 - 9 = 12

    Q: What is the formula for mode of grouped data?
    A:

    The formula for mode of grouped data is:

    $Mode = l + \frac{f_1-f_0}{2f_1-f_0-f_2}\times h$

    Where:

    • $l$ = lower limit of modal class
    • $f_1$ = frequency of modal class
    • $f_0$ = frequency before modal class
    • $f_2$ = frequency after modal class
    • $h$ = class width
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