wre
»y

formula for ascertaining the statistically accurate modal average, but
where the clags interval is large it is often desirable to locate the mode
within the limits of the class. The mode is useful in cases where it is
desirable to eliminate extreme variations as it is the type that, to the
ordinary mind, seems best to represent the group. But the disadvantages
 of a mode as a type are, that in many cases no single welldefined
 type actually exists, and it is not at all useful if it is desirable to
give any weight to extreme variations.
129. An examination of the frequency tables will show that the rate
of progression to the point of greatest density is, in most departments,
fairly uniform in character and that the progression to the higher
groups after the posifion of greatest density has been passed is on a
gradually diminishing basis. There are cases, however, where there
may be two or more points of greatest density, but, on the other hand,
it is a statistical dogma that if the mode cannot be located by any
arithmetical process it cannot be accurately determined by any
method. In considering the frequency tables as they stand, the limits
adjacent to the point of greatest density would represent the limits
within which the earnings of the most predominant occupation in the
department would fall, the extremes covering the higher paid
operatives such as jobbers and those workers who have only put
in a few days work in the month. In view of the inclusion of several
occupations in a department it would not be of much utility to
work out modal averages for each and every department. The points
of greatest density could in the majority of the cases be placed at once
even by a layman who knows nothing of statistical methods and
practice and he would not go far wrong. Modal groups have, however,
been ascertained for the more numerically important departments and
the results are presented in the following two tables for male and female
workers respectively —
Predominant Modal Classes for Monthly Earnings in Selected
Departments in Bombay
(1) Mex

Department or
Occupation

Weavers .
Ring Spinning  .. .
Slubbing, Inter and Roving
Carding Room  ..
Blow Room _~
Drawing Frame .. 23
Drawing-In ve ..
Cloth Folding . :
Weaving, General

Total
number
returned

1,758
8,872
2,842
1.318
883
848
820
1,482
ROM

Modal
Group of
Monthly
Earnings

ns.
30 to 55
24 to 26
30 to 32
24 to 26
24 to 26
34 to 36
24 to 26
24 to 26
120 to 130

Number of
workers in
the Modal
OTOND

2,204
1,704
343
268
279
159
3
320
143

Percentage
of ee
umber in
the group
0 number
retiirned

18-74
19-21
12-07
20-33
31-60
18-75
8:90
21-59
15°04