Math Example--Measures of Central Tendency--Median: Example 5

Topic

Measures of Central Tendency

Description

This example demonstrates how to find the median of the following set of numbers: 49, 3, 27, 46, 7, 32, 21, 33, 33. The process involves arranging the numbers from least to greatest and then identifying the middle value. In this case, with an odd number of terms, the median is simply the middle number after sorting, which is 32.

The concept of median is a fundamental measure of central tendency in statistics. It represents the middle value in a sorted dataset, providing a robust measure that is less affected by extreme values compared to the mean. This collection of examples helps teach the topic by illustrating the step-by-step process of finding the median for various datasets, including those with odd numbers of values and repeated numbers.

Presenting multiple worked-out examples is crucial for students to fully grasp the concept of median. By encountering different scenarios, such as datasets with even or odd numbers of values, repeated values, or widely spread numbers, students can develop a comprehensive understanding of how to calculate the median in various situations. This approach reinforces the procedure and helps students recognize patterns and nuances in median calculation.

Teacher Script: "Let's look at this new set of numbers. Notice that we have an odd number of values this time, and some numbers are repeated. Remember, our first step is always to arrange the numbers from least to greatest. Once we've done that, finding the median is straightforward with an odd number of terms - it's simply the middle number in our ordered list. This example shows how the median gives us the exact middle of our dataset when we have an odd number of values, even when some numbers appear more than once."

For a complete collection of math examples related to Measures of Central Tendency click on this link: Math Examples: Measures of Central Tendency: Median Collection.