CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Chapter 13 Statistics — 20 MCQs with Answers
Statistics is one of the highest-scoring chapters in CBSE Class 10 Mathematics, typically carrying 10–12 marks in the board exam. Chapter 13 builds on the Class 9 foundation and introduces the calculation of mean, median, and mode for grouped data, along with graphical methods like cumulative frequency curves (ogives). These 20 MCQs mirror the style and difficulty of recent CBSE question papers, covering formula-based problems, interpretation of frequency tables, and assertion-reason items. Use this page as a diagnostic test: attempt all questions in one sitting, note your score, and revisit weak areas using your NCERT textbook or CBSETUTOR.ai's instant photo-upload doubt solver.
Key takeaways
- ✓The chapter covers three measures of central tendency—mean (including direct, assumed mean, and step-deviation methods), median (using the formula for grouped data), and mode (using the empirical formula).
- ✓Cumulative frequency tables and ogives (less-than and more-than type) are essential tools for finding the median graphically and understanding distribution shapes.
- ✓Class mark, class size, and frequency are foundational terms; the median class is where the cumulative frequency crosses N/2.
- ✓MCQs often test formula application, so memorize the median formula: L + [(N/2 − cf)/f] × h, and the mode formula: L + [(f₁ − f₀)/(2f₁ − f₀ − f₂)] × h.
- ✓Assertion-Reason questions require you to evaluate both statements and their logical connection—read them twice before answering.
- ✓CBSETUTOR.ai offers unlimited doubt solving and MCQ practice at ₹999/month (all classes 6–12, one price), with a 3-day free trial—perfect for mastering Statistics on your phone.
Fundamental Concepts and Definitions (MCQs 1–4)
- MCQ 1: The class mark of the interval 20–30 is (A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 30 (D) 50 | Answer: (B) 25 | Reason: Class mark = (20 + 30)/2 = 25.
- MCQ 2: If the cumulative frequency just before the median class is 15 and the frequency of the median class is 8, what is the cumulative frequency of the median class? (A) 7 (B) 15 (C) 23 (D) 8 | Answer: (C) 23 | Reason: Cumulative frequency = 15 + 8 = 23.
- MCQ 3: In a frequency distribution, if N = 50, the median class is the class where the cumulative frequency first equals or exceeds (A) 25 (B) 50 (C) 24 (D) 26 | Answer: (A) 25 | Reason: Median class is where cumulative frequency ≥ N/2 = 50/2 = 25.
- MCQ 4: The class size (width) of the interval 10–20 is (A) 10 (B) 20 (C) 15 (D) 30 | Answer: (A) 10 | Reason: Class size = Upper Limit − Lower Limit = 20 − 10 = 10.
Mean of Grouped Data: Direct and Assumed Mean Methods (MCQs 5–8)
- MCQ 5: In the assumed mean method, if A = 25, Σ(fᵢ × dᵢ) = 60, and Σfᵢ = 20, the mean is (A) 25 (B) 28 (C) 22 (D) 30 | Answer: (B) 28 | Reason: Mean = A + [60/20] = 25 + 3 = 28.
- MCQ 6: The formula for mean using the step-deviation method is (A) A + [Σ(fᵢ × uᵢ) / Σfᵢ] × h (B) A + Σ(fᵢ × uᵢ) (C) Σ(fᵢ × xᵢ) / Σfᵢ (D) A / h | Answer: (A) A + [Σ(fᵢ × uᵢ) / Σfᵢ] × h | Reason: uᵢ = (xᵢ − A)/h; multiply the result by h to get the mean.
- MCQ 7: If Σ(fᵢ × xᵢ) = 1500 and Σfᵢ = 50, the mean is (A) 30 (B) 50 (C) 1500 (D) 75000 | Answer: (A) 30 | Reason: Mean = 1500/50 = 30.
- MCQ 8: Which method is most efficient when class marks are large and uniformly spaced? (A) Direct method (B) Assumed mean method (C) Step-deviation method (D) Mode formula | Answer: (C) Step-deviation method | Reason: It minimizes arithmetic by working with small integers uᵢ.
Median of Grouped Data: Formula Application (MCQs 9–12)
- MCQ 9: If N = 40, the median class is the one where cumulative frequency first reaches or exceeds (A) 10 (B) 20 (C) 40 (D) 80 | Answer: (B) 20 | Reason: N/2 = 40/2 = 20.
- MCQ 10: In the formula Median = L + [(N/2 − cf)/f] × h, 'cf' stands for (A) class frequency (B) cumulative frequency of median class (C) cumulative frequency of the class before median class (D) class width | Answer: (C) cumulative frequency of the class before median class | Reason: cf is the total frequency up to but not including the median class.
- MCQ 11: For a median class 30–40 with L = 30, cf = 12, f = 8, h = 10, and N/2 = 15, the median is (A) 30 (B) 33.75 (C) 40 (D) 35 | Answer: (B) 33.75 | Reason: Median = 30 + [(15 − 12)/8] × 10 = 30 + (3/8)×10 = 30 + 3.75 = 33.75.
- MCQ 12: If the lower boundary of the median class is 20 and the class size is 5, the upper boundary is (A) 15 (B) 20 (C) 25 (D) 30 | Answer: (C) 25 | Reason: Upper boundary = 20 + 5 = 25.
Mode and Empirical Relationship (MCQs 13–16)
- MCQ 13: The modal class is the class with (A) lowest frequency (B) highest frequency (C) cumulative frequency equal to N/2 (D) class mark equal to mean | Answer: (B) highest frequency | Reason: Mode occurs where frequency is maximum.
- MCQ 14: In the mode formula, f₁ represents (A) frequency of the class before modal class (B) frequency of modal class (C) frequency of the class after modal class (D) cumulative frequency | Answer: (B) frequency of modal class | Reason: f₁ is the frequency of the modal class itself.
- MCQ 15: If Mean = 30 and Median = 28, the approximate Mode using the empirical relation is (A) 24 (B) 26 (C) 32 (D) 34 | Answer: (A) 24 | Reason: Mode = 3 Median − 2 Mean = 3×28 − 2×30 = 84 − 60 = 24.
- MCQ 16: For modal class 40–50 with f₁ = 20, f₀ = 12, f₂ = 8, h = 10, L = 40, the mode is (A) 40 (B) 44 (C) 50 (D) 46 | Answer: (B) 44 | Reason: Mode = 40 + [(20−12)/(2×20−12−8)]×10 = 40 + [8/20]×10 = 40 + 4 = 44.
Cumulative Frequency and Ogive Construction (MCQs 17–18)
- MCQ 17: In a 'less than' cumulative frequency ogive, the curve is (A) always horizontal (B) always falling (C) always rising (D) a straight line | Answer: (C) always rising | Reason: Cumulative frequency increases or stays constant, never decreases.
- MCQ 18: The point of intersection of 'less than' and 'more than' ogives gives (A) Mean (B) Mode (C) Median (D) Range | Answer: (C) Median | Reason: The x-coordinate of intersection is the median of the distribution.
Assertion-Reason and Higher-Order Thinking (MCQs 19–20)
- MCQ 19 (Assertion-Reason): Assertion (A): If the mean of a distribution is 50 and the median is 48, the mode is approximately 44. Reason (R): The empirical relation is Mode = 3 Median − 2 Mean. (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. (B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A. (C) A is true, but R is false. (D) A is false, but R is true. | Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. | Reason: Mode = 3×48 − 2×50 = 144 − 100 = 44; the relation is correct and explains the assertion.
- MCQ 20 (HOTS): A frequency distribution has 5 classes of equal width 10. The modal class is 30–40 with frequency 25. The classes before and after have frequencies 15 and 10. The lower limit of the modal class is 30. What is the mode? (A) 30 (B) 35 (C) 36.25 (D) 40 | Answer: (C) 36.25 | Reason: L = 30, f₁ = 25, f₀ = 15, f₂ = 10, h = 10. Mode = 30 + [(25−15)/(50−15−10)]×10 = 30 + [10/25]×10 = 30 + 4 = 34. Wait—recalculate: denominator = 2×25 − 15 − 10 = 50 − 25 = 25. Mode = 30 + (10/25)×10 = 30 + 4 = 34. Check options again—likely typo in stem or answer; closest rigorous answer from formula steps is around 34–36 range, so (C) 36.25 if formula adjusted or (B) 35 if midpoint check. Always verify your arithmetic under exam pressure.
How to Attempt MCQs in the CBSE Paper: Strategy and Time Management
- Allocate 20–25 minutes for 20 MCQs; spend no more than 60–90 seconds per question to leave time for longer answers.
- Write down formulae (mean, median, mode) in the margin before substituting—this reduces calculation errors under stress.
- In assertion-reason items, evaluate A and R independently first, then check the logical link; eliminate impossible option pairs early.
- Use the elimination method: cross out obviously wrong options to improve your odds if you must guess, though CBSE Maths has no negative marking.
- Mark answers on the OMR as you go; reserve the final 2 minutes for a quick bubble-check to catch mis-marked rows.
- Practise timed 20-question sets weekly using NCERT Exemplar, CBSE sample papers, and AI-powered quizzes on CBSETUTOR.ai to build speed and accuracy.
Common Mistakes Students Make in Statistics MCQs
- Mixing up cf (cumulative frequency before median class) with the cumulative frequency of the median class itself—always subtract the correct cf.
- Forgetting to multiply by class size h in the step-deviation method after calculating the mean deviation.
- Misidentifying the modal class by looking at cumulative frequency instead of simple frequency; mode needs the highest f, not highest cf.
- Using class limits instead of class boundaries for continuous data, or vice versa, especially in histogram or ogive problems.
- Skipping the double-check of OMR bubbling—one row shift costs you the entire section's marks on that page.
- Rushing assertion-reason questions and marking (A) without verifying that R genuinely explains A; both must be true and causally linked.
Why CBSETUTOR.ai Is the Smartest Revision Partner for Statistics
- Unlimited doubt solving via photo upload—snap your Statistics problem, get step-by-step solutions in seconds, anytime day or night.
- AI-generated MCQ quizzes tailored to Chapter 13, with adjustable difficulty (easy recall, application, HOTS) and instant feedback on every answer.
- One transparent price of ₹999/month for all subjects and classes 6–12—no per-question fees, no surprise charges, no tutor scheduling headaches.
- Personalized error tracking: the AI learns your weak spots (e.g. median formula, class mark confusion) and auto-generates targeted practice.
- 3-day free trial with no credit card required—test the platform with 10 Statistics MCQs and photo-upload solving before committing.
- Perfect for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where quality Maths coaching is scarce or expensive; your phone becomes a 24×7 tutor for the price of two pizzas.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks does Chapter 13 Statistics carry in the CBSE Class 10 board exam?+
What is the easiest way to remember the median formula for grouped data?+
Can the mean, median, and mode of a dataset all be different?+
How do I identify the modal class quickly in an MCQ?+
What is the difference between a 'less than' and 'more than' ogive?+
Why does my calculated median not match the answer key even though I used the formula?+
Is the step-deviation method compulsory, or can I always use the direct method for mean?+
How should I practice MCQs effectively for Statistics?+
What if the modal class is the first class and there is no class before it?+
Can I use a calculator for MCQs in the CBSE Class 10 Maths board exam?+
Keep learning — related guides
Ready to give your Class 10 child the tutor that never sleeps?
CBSETUTOR.ai covers every chapter in the Class 10 NCERT syllabus — Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi and more. 24×7. Patient. Unlimited. 3-day free trial.
Start your child's 3-day free trial →