Calculating Percentiles using a Frequency Table

Pi = Percentile
pi = Percentile as proportion
Looking at the cumulative Frequency table find
Lp = True lower limit value within the interval containing Pi
N = number of valid cases
cfp = Cumulative frequency for the interval before the percentile-interval
fp = Frequency of the interval containing the percentile
Wi = Width of the interval containing the percentile

For example
Whats the 20thpercentile of the income dist.?
Values
$0 to $2,999
$ 3,000 to $4,999
$ 5,000 to $6,999
$ 7,000 to $9,999
$10,000 to $14,999
$15,000 to $19,999
$20,000 to $24,999
$25,000 or over

Frequency
2,349
1,681
1,547
2,089
3,518
2,617
2,310
5,767

Cum.
Frequency
2,349
4,030
5,577
7,666
11,184
13,801
16,111
21,878

Cum.
Percentage
10.7%
18.4%
25.5%
35.0%
51.1%
63.1%
73.6%
100.0%

Pi = 20th
pi = .2
Lp = 4,999.5
N = 21,878
cfp = 4,030
fp = 1,5470
Wi = 2,000
(.2 )(21,878) 4,030
Pi = 4,999.5 +
(2,000) = 5446.3
1,547