Medians

In statistics, medians are values that separate a dataset into two equal halves. More precisely, the median is the middle value in a sorted list of numbers. If there's an odd number of data points, the median is the central value. If there's an even number of data points, the median is usually calculated as the average of the two central values. medians offer a robust measure of central tendency, less sensitive to extreme outliers than the mean (average). They provide a useful summary of data distribution, especially when the data isn't symmetrically distributed.

Medians meaning with examples

• To find the median test score, the class scores (e.g., 70, 75, 80, 85, 90) were ordered. The central score, 80, represents the median. This showed a relatively good performance by the class overall. The median is beneficial, as a single unusually low or high score would have minimal effect, providing a more stable representation of the typical student's performance compared to using an average.
• Calculating the median income for a city involves listing all incomes from lowest to highest and identifying the value separating the lower and upper halves. This helps understand the typical income level. If income data is skewed due to a few very high earners, the median provides a better indication of the general population's economic well-being than a mean, offering a more realistic picture.
• When comparing house prices, a real estate agent might focus on the median house price to give buyers a more representative view of the market. Considering all the home prices from lowest to highest allows for comparison of location's market value. The median price minimizes the impact of a few extremely expensive properties (outliers) that might distort the average and mislead potential buyers.
• In a study measuring plant heights, researchers would order all measurements and find the middle value for median height. It shows the central tendency of the plant growth. Extreme variations in the height of some plants due to poor soil or pests would minimally affect the median measurement, and provides a more consistent reference point for comparison purposes with the other studies.