What exactly is the Median?

The median is the number in the middle of an organized, ascending, or descending list of numbers, and it may be more revealing of the data set than the average.

The median is the number in the middle of an ordered, ascending, or descending list of numbers, and it may be more revealing of the data set than the average.

When there are exceptions in the series that may impact the average of the values, the median is typically used rather than the mean.

If there are an odd number of integers, the result in the center is the median number, with the same number below and above it.

If the list has an even number of values, find the middle pair, add them together, then divide by two to get the median value.

Characteristics of the Median

  1. Unlike the arithmetic mean, the median can be computed from open-ended distributions. This is because it is located in the median class-interval, which would not be an open-ended class.
  2. The median can also be determined graphically whereas the arithmetic mean cannot be ascertained in this manner.
  3. As it is not influenced by the extreme values, it is preferred in case of a distribution having extreme values.
  4. In case of the qualitative data where the items are not counted or measured but are scored or ranked, it is the most appropriate measure of central tendency.
  5. The median is unaffected by any of the information values in the dataset.
  6. Individual values do not correspond to the median value, which is determined by its location.
  7. The gap between the median and the other variables will be smaller than any other point.
  8. There is only one median in each array, and it cannot be modified algebraically. It cannot be measured or mixed. The median remains constant in a grouping strategy.
  9. The median does not apply to qualitative data; the variables must be linked and arranged before the median can be determined.
  10. The median of a ratio, interval, or ordinal scale can be calculated.
  11. When an allocation is skewed, the median is better to be considered than the mean.

Median Properties

In statistics, the properties of the median are explained in the following points.

  • Median is not dependent on all the data values in a dataset.
  • The median value is fixed by its position and is not reflected by the individual value.
  • The distance between the median and the rest of the values is less than the distance from any other point.
  • Every array has a single median.
  • Median cannot be manipulated algebraically. It cannot be weighed and combined.
  • In a grouping procedure, the median is stable.
  • Median is not applicable to qualitative data.
  • The values must be grouped and ordered for computation.
  • Median can be determined for ratio, interval and ordinal scale.
  • Outliers and skewed data have less impact on the median.
  • If the distribution is skewed, the median is a better measure when compared to mean.