Calculating the median

The median is one of the three measures of central tendency. It represents the middle value for any group.

The median formula is:

where n is the number of items in the set and th just means the (n)th number.

To find the median, first order the numbers from smallest to largest. Then find the middle number.

Example 1:

There are 7 numbers in the set, so n = 7:

[(7 + 1) ÷ 2]}th

= [(8) ÷ 2]th

= [4]th

The 4th number in 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 is 5.

Example 2:

Consider the data: 4, 4, 6, 3, and 2.

Solution:

Let's arrange this data in ascending order: 2, 3, 4, 4, 6.

Count the number of values. There are 5 values.

Look for the middle value. The middle value is the median.

Answer: 4