Mean, median and mode for discrete data

Mean
The arithmetic mean value is found by adding together the values of the members of a set and
dividing by the number of members in the set. Thus, the mean of the set of numbers: {4, 5, 6,
9} is:

(4 + 5 + 6 + 9 ) / 4 i.e. 6

In general, the mean of the set: {x1, x2, x3, …, xn} is

(X̅ = x1 + x2 + x3 +···+ xn) / n , written as Σx /n where Σ is the Greek letter ‘sigma’ and
means ‘the sum of’, and X̅ (called x-bar) is used to signify a mean value

Median
The median value often gives a better indication of the general size of a set containing
extreme values. The median of a set of data is the middlemost number or centre value in the
set.

This is the middle value of the set of observations arranged in ascending order or descending
order of magnitude.

Mode
The modal value, or mode, is the most commonly occurring value in a set.

Problem

Determine for the 10 measurements of lengths shown below:

(a) the arithmetic mean,

(b) the median,
(c) the mode,

28 m, 20 m, 32 m, 44 m, 28 m, 30 m, 30 m, 26 m, 28 m and 34 m

Solution

(a) X̅ = Σx /n = (28m+20m+32m+44m+28m+30m+30m+26m+28m+34m) / 10
=30m
(b) Median

Arranging the data : 20m,26m,28m,28m,28m,30m,30m,32m,34m,44m

Median =

Median = (28+30)m / 2

=29m

(c) Mode 28m Because it has the highest frequency