What is Median? Definition, Meaning & Example
The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from smallest to largest.
TL;DR: The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from smallest to largest.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Median: The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from smallest to largest.
Explanation
To find the median, arrange numbers in order and identify the middle value. If there is an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values. For example, in the set 3, 7, 9, the median is 7. In the set 2, 4, 6, 8, the median is (4+6)/2 = 5. The median is often preferred over the mean when there are outliers because it is not affected by extreme values. Understanding median along with mean helps students describe data sets accurately and choose appropriate statistics for different situations.
Example
The heights in centimeters are 150, 160, 165, 170, 175. The median height is 165 cm because it is the middle value in the ordered list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find median with even number of values?
Find the two middle values and calculate their average. For example, the median of 1, 3, 5, 7 is (3+5)/2 = 4.
When is median better than mean?
Median is better when data has outliers because it is not affected by extreme values, whereas mean can be significantly skewed by outliers.
More Maths Terms
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →