- MEAN: The average of a set of numbers. Add all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are. A set of numbers will only have one mean.
- MEDIAN: The middle number in a set of ordered numbers. Order the numbers from least to greatest, then find the number(s) in the middle. A set of numbers will only have one median. If two numbers are in the middle, find the average of those two numbers.
- MODE: The number that occurs most often in a set of numbers. Order the numbers from least to greatest, then find the number(s) that occur the most often. A set of numbers could have one or more modes.
- Example 1:
- Mean: (5 + 8 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 8) / 6 = 36 / 6 = 6
- Median: Ordered set: 3, 5, 5, 7, 8, 8. Middle numbers: 5 and 7. Median = (5 + 7) / 2 = 6
- Mode: 5 and 8 (both occur twice)
- Example 2:
- Mean: (72 + 70 + 64 + 88 + 89 + 89 + 72 + 53 + 88 + 80 + 70 + 78) / 12 = 913 / 12 ≈ 76.08
- Median: Ordered set: 53, 64, 70, 70, 72, 72, 78, 80, 88, 88, 89, 89. Middle numbers: 72 and 78. Median = (72 + 78) / 2 = 75
- Mode: 70, 72, 88, 89 (each occurs twice)
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of central tendency worksheet.
