Fundamentals of Math

Fundamentals of Mathematics

7.2 Median Another method of central tendency is the median ; this, by definition, is the literal most central point in the dataset. To find the median value begin by arranging all the observations in the dataset in order from smallest to largest. Next, start crossing out values at opposite ends until you reach the center value(s). If your dataset consists of an odd number of observations , a single value will remain - this is your median. However, if it consists of an even number of observations you will be left with two values in the middle. Find the average of those two values, and the result becomes your median.

Example 7.2.1

34

16

41

20

56

81

62

74

12

Step 1: Order the values in the dataset from smallest to largest.

12

16

20

34

41

56

62

74

81

Step 2: Cross out values at either end until you are left with a center value.

12

16

20

34

41

56

62

74

81

The median of this dataset is 41.

Example 7.2.2

25

85

40

63

29

85

44

32

15

69

Step 1: Order the values in the dataset from smallest to largest.

15

25

29

32

40

44

63

69

85

85

Step 2: Cross out values at either end until you are left with two center values.

15

25

29

32

40

44

63

69

85

85

Step 3: Average the two values identified in step 2 together.

40 + 44 2

84 2

=

= 42

The median of this dataset is 42.

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