1. What is Median?

The median is the middle value in a sorted list of numbers. Unlike the mean (average), the median is not affected by extremely large or small values, making it a robust measure of central tendency.

2. How to Calculate Median

The calculation depends on whether the dataset has an odd or even number of values:

Steps:

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

3. When to Use Median

Details: The median is particularly useful when:

• Your data has outliers that might skew the mean
• Working with ordinal data or non-normal distributions
• Reporting income, housing prices, or other skewed distributions

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter numbers separated by commas (e.g., 5, 2, 9, 1, 7)
• The calculator will automatically sort the values
• Non-numeric values will be ignored
• At least one valid number is required

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between median and mean?
A: The mean is the average (sum divided by count), while the median is the middle value. The median is less affected by outliers.

Q2: When should I use median instead of mean?
A: Use median for skewed distributions or when outliers are present. Use mean for normally distributed data.

Q3: How does median handle even vs. odd datasets?
A: For odd counts, it's the exact middle. For even counts, it's the average of the two middle values.

Q4: Can median be calculated for non-numeric data?
A: Yes, median can be used for ordinal data (e.g., survey ratings) where values can be ranked.

Q5: Is median affected by extreme values?
A: No, that's one of its main advantages over the mean. Only the middle value(s) matter.