1. What is Median?

The median is the middle value in a sorted data set. Unlike the mean, it's not affected by extremely large or small values, making it a robust measure of central tendency.

2. How to Calculate Median

The median is calculated by:

Steps:

1. Sort the data set in ascending order
2. Count the number of observations (n)
3. If n is odd, the median is the value at position (n+1)/2
4. If n is even, the median is the average of values at positions n/2 and (n/2)+1

3. Importance of Median

Details: The median provides a better central value than the mean for skewed distributions or when outliers are present. It's widely used in income statistics, real estate prices, and other areas where extreme values might distort the average.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter numbers separated by commas (e.g., 5, 2, 9, 1, 7). The calculator will sort the numbers and find the median automatically.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should I use median instead of mean?
A: Use median when your data is skewed or has outliers that would disproportionately affect the mean.

Q2: Can median be calculated for categorical data?
A: Only for ordinal data (data that can be ordered). It cannot be calculated for nominal categories.

Q3: What if all values in my data set are the same?
A: The median will equal that value (and will also equal the mean in this case).

Q4: How does median compare to mode?
A: Median is the middle value, while mode is the most frequent value. They serve different purposes in data analysis.

Q5: Is median affected by sample size?
A: The median's reliability increases with sample size, but its calculation method remains the same regardless of sample size.