Mean, Median, Mode: How to Find Mean, Median, and Mode

In a numerical data set, the mean, median, and mode are all ways to calculate the central tendency. Find out how to calculate mean, median, and mode in statistics.

How to Find the Mean

An important measure of central tendency in statistics is the mean. The arithmetic mean or arithmetic average is the arithmetic average of a set of data. Divide the total number of values into a data set by the total number of digits to find the mean. By doing this, you will be able to determine the average value. Different statistical measures with different strengths in calculating mean values include geometric, harmonic, and Pythagorean means.

For the numbers 19, 20, 13, 14, 24 14, 17, 18, and 21, the mean is the sum of the values (160) divided by the total number of values in the data set (9), which equals 15

How to Find the Median

Similarly, the median measures how close a data set is to the center. In data sets, the median is the number located in the middle. This can be determined by placing your numbers in numerical order from the smallest number to the largest number and then locating the middle number. A median number is the average of two values that compose the middle of a data set if there is no exact middle or midpoint.

For the numbers 15, 12, 16, 14, 20, 14, 17, 25, and 21, the median is 20.

How to Find the Mode

An individual data point's mode represents the most frequent value in the set. If there is a tie between two or more numbers in the frequency distribution, then the mode will be two or more values. Identify the highest frequency value by listing your values ascendingly.

For the numbers 12, 12, 13,18, 18, 18, 17, 18, and 21, the mode is 14.