| Requires | Sort the data |
|---|---|
| Position | Center of the ordered set |
| Use | Description of center with lower sensitivity to extreme values |
Definition and context
The median is obtained from ordered data. With an odd number of observations, it is the central value. With an even number, the usual convention for numerical data uses the mean of the two central values.
In a hypothetical example, the values 1, 2, 3, 4, and 30 have a median of 3. Changing 30 to 300 does not alter that median, although it greatly changes the mean. This property helps describe certain skewed distributions. It does not mean that extreme values are unimportant: they can be crucial for other questions. A complete interpretation combines the measure of center with dispersion, sample size, and context, rather than turning a single figure into the entire description.
What we know and its limits
Introductory reference sheet. Properties and applications depend on measurement conditions; consult the sources before making comparisons.
Follow the evidence
The original sources for exploring this explanation and its limits.
- Introductory Statistics 2e · Measures of the Center
OpenStax · Rice University
Definitions of mean and median. - Introductory Statistics 2e · Skewness, Mean and Median
OpenStax · Rice University
Skewness and differences between measures of central tendency.
Image credits
SciClue · AI-generated illustration (OpenAI) · Original source · Recurso editorial de SciClue · generado con IA