How to Figure Out the Median

The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one. If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then defined to be the mean of the two middle values.

-Source Wikipedia.

Example to how to figure out the median:

Example 1:

Figure out the median of the given number set. 9,3,8,4,6,5,7

Solution:

First we have to arrange the given number set in ascending order.

The ordered list of given number set is 3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Here, the given number set is odd. So we have to pick out the middle number.

Therefore, the median of the number set is 6.

Example 2:

Figure out the median of the given number set. 21,23,22,24,26,25,27

Solution:

First we have to arrange the given number set in ascending order.

The ordered list of given number set is 21,22,23,24,25,26,27.

Here, the given number set is odd. So we have to pick out the middle number.

Therefore, the median of the number set is 24.

Example 3:

Figure out the median of the given number set. 21, 23, 22, 24, 26, 25, 27, 28

Solution:

First we have to arrange the given number set in ascending order.

The ordered list of given number set is 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

        Here, the given number set is even.

        So we have to pick out the middle of two numbers and we have to find average or mean of those numbers.

Therefore, the median of the number set is `(24+25) /2` = `49/2 ` = 24.5.

Example 4:

Figure out the median of the given number set. 31,33,32,34,36,35,37, 38

Solution:

First we have to arrange the given number set in ascending order.

The ordered list of given number set is 31, 32,33,34,35,36,37,38.

       Here, the given number set is even.

       So we have to pick out the middle of two numbers and we have to find average or mean of those numbers.

Therefore, the median of the number set is `(34 + 35) / 2` = `69/2 ` = 34.5.

I am planning to write more post on How to Simplify Ratios and Scientific Notation Example. Keep checking my blog.

Practice problems to how to figure out the median:

Problem 1:

Figure out the median of the given number set. 11, 31, 21, 41, 61, 51, 71

Solution: The median of the number set is 41
Problem 2:
Figure out the median of the given number set. 11, 31, 21, 41, 61, 51, 71, 81
Solution: The median of the number set is 46