How to figure the mean, median and mode for a set of numbers
Answer
Mean is the average for a set of numbers. First, find the sum of the numbers. Second, divide the sum by the total amount of numbers in the set. Example: if you want to know your test average for a class you are taking, add up your test scores and divide by the number of tests taken.
Median is the middle number in a set. If your set of numbers is listed randomly, you must arrange them from the smallest to the largest.
If your data set has an odd number of data points, the middle number is the median. Example: (23, 26, 29, 32, 36, 39, 42). Since there are seven numbers in the data set, 32 would be the median. There are three numbers left and right of this number.
If your data set is an even number, you must add the middle two numbers and divide by two. Example: (23, 26, 29, 32, 36, 39, 42, 45). Since there are eight numbers in the data set, add 32 and 36. Divide this sum by 2 to find the median (34). This number is not in the data set but is used to establish the median (four numbers left and right of the median).
Mode is the most common number in the data set. Example: (2, 5, 3, 9, 7, 5, 6, 8, 5, 7, 4). Five is the most common number in the data set; therefore, it is the mode.