median
Pronunciation: [ˈmiː.di.ən]
Word
Context: "mathematics"
(noun) the median is the middle number in a list of numbers when they are arranged in order. If you have a group of numbers, the median helps you find the point where half of them are smaller and half are larger.
Example
In the list of ages 5, 10, and 15, the median age is 10.
Example
In a list of 2, 4, and 8, the median is not 4 because 4 is not the middle number.
Example
What is the median of the following numbers: 3, 7, and 9?
Context: "statistics"
(noun) the median is a way to understand data by showing the middle point. It is often used to see what is typical in a group of numbers, especially if some numbers are very large or very small.
Example
The median income helps us see what most people earn, without being affected by very high salaries.
Example
Using the average instead of the median can give a wrong idea, especially if there are very few high incomes.
Example
How does the median compare to the average in this data set?
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