Suppose you are constructing a conditional relative frequency table by column for a survey of students' favorite subjects. If the relative frequencies in one column are $0.17$, $0.25$, and $x$, and the sum of the column must be $1$, which value for $x$ completes the table?

• A. $0.25$
• B. $0.17$
• C. $0.85$
• D. $0.40$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a conditional relative frequency table by column means the relative frequencies in each column must sum to 1, representing the total proportion for that category.
2. Identify the given relative frequencies in the column: 0.17, 0.25, and an unknown value x.
3. Set up the equation representing the sum of the relative frequencies in the column: \$0.17 + 0.25 + x = 1$.
4. Solve for the unknown value x by isolating it on one side of the equation: \(x = 1 - 0.17 - 0.25\).
5. Calculate the value of x to find the missing relative frequency that completes the column so the total sums to 1.