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 Median is Calculated

The median is calculated using the following method:

Steps:

1. Sort all numbers in the dataset in ascending order
2. Count the number of observations (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. Why Use Median?

Advantages: The median is less sensitive to outliers than the mean, making it better for skewed distributions. It represents the 50th percentile of the data.

When to use: Income data, housing prices, test scores with outliers, and any data where extreme values might distort the average.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter numbers separated by commas (e.g., 5, 3, 7, 1, 9). The calculator will sort the values and compute the median.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why can't pivot tables calculate median directly?
A: Pivot tables typically only support sum, count, average, max, and min. Median requires custom formulas or helper columns.

Q2: How do I calculate median in Excel without this tool?
A: Use the MEDIAN function: =MEDIAN(range). For pivot tables, create a helper column or use Power Pivot.

Q3: When should I use median instead of average?
A: Use median when your data has outliers or is skewed. Use average for normally distributed data.

Q4: Can median be calculated for categorical data?
A: No, median requires ordinal or numerical data that can be sorted.

Q5: What's the difference between median and mode?
A: Median is the middle value, while mode is the most frequently occurring value.