Median Calculator
Enter your values to find the median - the middle value in a sorted dataset.
Result
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Batch Import - You can paste multiple values separated by spaces. They will be automatically distributed across the input fields.
When to use median - The median is particularly useful when your data contains outliers, as it is less affected by extreme values than the mean.
Median Formula
To calculate the median manually, follow these steps:
median.formula.exampleText
The median is the middle value in a sorted dataset. If there is an odd number of values, the median is the middle value. If there is an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values.
What is Median?
The median is a measure of central tendency that represents the middle value in a sorted dataset.
Unlike the arithmetic mean (average), the median is not affected by extreme values or outliers. This makes it a more robust measure of central tendency when your data contains unusually high or low values that could skew the average.
The median is widely used in statistics, economics, and data analysis. Common applications include reporting median household income (which better represents typical earnings than the mean), real estate prices, and any dataset where outliers could distort the average.
When to Use Median
The median is the preferred measure of central tendency in many real-world scenarios:
- Income Statistics: Median household income is more representative than mean income because a few extremely wealthy individuals can dramatically inflate the average, while the median shows what a typical household earns.
- Real Estate Prices: Median home prices are often reported instead of averages because luxury properties can skew the mean upward, making the median a better indicator of typical market prices.
- Test Scores Analysis: When analyzing test scores with potential outliers (students who scored exceptionally high or low), the median provides a better sense of how most students performed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Median
- What is the difference between median and mean?
- The mean is the sum of all values divided by the count. The median is the middle value when data is sorted. The median is less sensitive to extreme values.
- How to calculate median in Excel?
- In Excel use the function =MEDIAN(range). For example: =MEDIAN(A1:A10) calculates the median of values in range A1:A10.
- When should I use median instead of mean?
- Use median when your data contains extreme values or outliers. Common examples include income statistics, real estate prices, or response times.
- How to calculate median for even number of values?
- For even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values. For example, for [1, 3, 5, 7], median = (3 + 5) / 2 = 4.
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