Range aaa ‘The range is a measure of spread. Measures of location: mean, median and mode ‘The mean, median and mode are called measures of location because they give an indication of a central value (or average) around which a set of scores tends to cluster. anatysiNG oaTA 365 CHAPTER [EM median is (when scores are arranged from lowest to highest the middle score (for an odd number of scores) ‘the average of the two middle scores (for an even number of scores) ‘The mode is the score that occurs most ofte Comparing the mean, median and mode a ‘When the mean, median and mode are found for a set of data, it is necessary to decide which rz ‘measure is the most appropriate. The following points should be remembered. ess + The mean is usually the most appropriate measure of location, because it takes into account ‘mph every data score. + Ifthere are outliers in the set of data, then the mean may be affected by these extreme scores and ‘will not accurately represent all of the scores. In this case, the median is a better measure, because it is not affected by outliers. + ‘The mode is useful when the most common score is important, or when the data is categorical (such as hair colour or make of car). When dealing with categorical data, it is not possible to have ‘a mean or median.Cumulative frequency tables and graphs ‘The cumulative frequency is « progressive total of the frequency. The cumulative frequency for a particular score is the sum of the frequencies for that score and for all scores less than it. A cumulative frequency histogram and polygon (also called the ogive) can be drawn using the ‘score’ and the ‘cumulative frequency” columns. The cumulative frequency can be used to find the median. 1 The marks obtained by a class of 30 students in a test (out of 10) areas follows: 358675 4810786579 767544909 8 877 63 8 Complete a frequency table for this data (including, cumulative frequency column). b_ Draw a cumulative frequency histogram and polygon. © Use the cumulative frequency polygon (the ogive) to find the median, Solution ‘a The frequency table for the test marks is shown cae con the right. frequency, f ‘The last value in the cumulative frequency column must equal the total ofthe frequen: oe, “me +3) Gra Ora) (a+) (05) (25+3)=28 (28+2)=30 The interquartile range ‘The interquartile range isthe difference hetwoen the upper quartile and the lower quale [EB Hnerquanile range = upper quantile — lower quarile =G-Q inerquartile range be 256 som 425% —+1 Tower qui medin upper quale o ee ‘The interquartile range takes into account the middle 50% of scores and ignores very low or very high scores (outliers).