Determining the proportion of individuals in a population that exhibit a specific observable trait is a fundamental process in genetics. This calculation involves dividing the number of individuals displaying the trait by the total number of individuals in the population. For example, if a study of 500 pea plants reveals that 375 have purple flowers, then the proportion of plants with purple flowers is 375/500, or 0.75. This value, when expressed as a percentage, indicates that 75% of the observed pea plant population displays the purple flower phenotype.
Understanding the prevalence of traits within populations is crucial for various reasons. It provides insights into the genetic makeup and evolutionary dynamics of populations. This information is useful in fields such as agriculture, where breeders may want to select for desirable traits, and in medicine, where understanding the distribution of genetic diseases can inform public health initiatives. Historically, such calculations have been a cornerstone of population genetics, providing empirical data to test theoretical models of inheritance and evolution.