- The mean is calculated by summing all numbers in a data set and dividing by the count of numbers.
- The median is the middle value in an ordered list; for an odd count, it’s the central number, and for an even count, it’s the average of the two central numbers.
- The mode is the most frequently occurring number in a data set; there can be none, one, or multiple modes.
- Use the mean when data points are close together and outliers are absent.
- Use the median when outliers are present, as it is less affected by extreme values.
- Use the mode when identifying the most common value is important, especially with categorical data.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of measures of central tendency worksheet.