Skill: Calculate the median

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

The median is the middle value in a data set after the values are arranged in numerical order; when the set has two middle values, the median is their average. The learner understands that the median describes the center of an ordered set and is distinct from the most frequent value (mode) or the total divided by the number of values (mean), using small sets of whole-number data and simple halves rather than advanced statistical analysis.

Detailed Explanation: Calculate the median

The median is the middle number after the data are arranged from least to greatest.

Example: Find the median of 7,3,9,5,5,27, 3, 9, 5, 5, 2.

  1. Put the numbers in order:

2, 3, 5, 5, 7, 92,\ 3,\ 5,\ 5,\ 7,\ 9
  1. Count the numbers. There are 66 numbers, so there are two middle numbers.

  2. Find the two middle numbers: They are 55 and 55.

  3. Find their average:

5+52=102=5\frac{5+5}{2}=\frac{10}{2}=5

The median is 55. It tells us the center of the ordered data set.

Learn by doing: Calculate the median

Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill

Your results

Practice with unlimited practice problems

Statistics - Quartiles - Data Set (With Outliers) to Median


    ?

    Download/Modify Free Grade 4 'Calculate the median' Worksheet

    Print this free 'Calculate the median' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.

    Units Teaching This Skill

    These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Calculate the median) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.

    Explore More Grade 4 Math