Skill: Calculate the mode

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

The mode is the data value that occurs most often, determined by comparing frequencies in a list, frequency table, picture graph, or bar graph; it describes the most common result, not the greatest or least value. A data set may have one mode, multiple modes when values tie for the greatest frequency, or no mode when all values occur equally often. This treatment is limited to small, discrete whole-number data sets and does not include grouped or continuous data or advanced statistical analysis.

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Detailed Explanation: Calculate the mode

The mode is the data value that appears most often. It tells you the most common result.

To find the mode:

Look at each different value in the data set.
Count how many times each value appears.
Find the value with the greatest frequency, or number of times it appears.

Example: Find the mode of this data set:

4,\ 2,\ 5,\ 4,\ 3,\ 2,\ 4,\ 5

Count each value:

Value	Number of times it appears
$2$	$2$
$3$	$1$
$4$	$3$
$5$	$2$

The value $4$ appears $3$ times, which is more often than any other value.

\boxed{\text{The mode is }4.}

Remember: The mode is the value that occurs most often, not necessarily the greatest value.

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Statistics - Solve for Mode

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