Finding the median
When finding the median of a set of data, first put the data in order and then find the number located right in the middle.
For example, find the median for the following set:
S1 = {15, 14, 11}
Put the numbers in order
11, 14, 15
The median is 14 because it is in the middle
Other examples:
S2 = {5, 3, 7, 2, 4}
Put the set in order
2, 3, 4, 5, 7
In the example above, the median is 4 because 4 is in the middle
When the number of numbers in the set is an odd number as in the two sets above, your median is right in the middle.
However, when the number of numbers in the set is an even number, you will end up with two numbers in the middle
In this case, just take the average of the numbers
Examples
S3 = { 15, 14, 11,16}
Put S3 in order
11, 14, 15, 16
The two values in the middle are 14 and 15
The average is (14+15)/2 = 29/2 = 14.5
So, the median is 14.5
S4 = { 6, 2, 8, 9, 1, 10, 4, 12}
Put S4 in order
Tips
When a set contains many numbers, cross out numbers as you put them in order to keep yourself organized
For example for S4, put 1 in your new ordered list and then cross it out. Then, put 2 and cross it out...
1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12
The two numbers in the middle are 6 and 8
(6 + 8)/2 is 7, so the median is 7
Finding the median
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