Calculate the median (middle value) of any dataset
The median is the middle value in a dataset when the values are arranged in order. It divides the dataset into two equal halves.
For odd-sized datasets, the median is the exact middle value. For even-sized datasets, it's the average of the two middle values.
The median is resistant to outliers and extreme values, making it a better measure of central tendency than the mean for skewed distributions.
It's particularly useful when dealing with income data, house prices, or any dataset with significant outliers.
| Aspect | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Middle value when sorted | Sum divided by count |
| Outlier sensitivity | Not affected by outliers | Heavily affected by outliers |
| Best for | Skewed distributions | Normal distributions |
| Example use | House prices, income | Test scores, heights |
The median is also known as the second quartile (Q2). It divides the dataset into two equal parts, with 50% of values below and 50% above.
The median represents the 50th percentile, meaning it's the value below which 50% of the observations fall.
The median is a robust statistic because it's not influenced by extreme values or outliers in the dataset, making it reliable for real-world data.
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