Median Calculator
Find the median (middle value) of any dataset.
Enter Numbers (comma-separated)
Calculation:
1. Original: 3, 7, 2, 9, 5
2. Sorted: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9
3. Count: 5 numbers (odd)
4. Middle position: 3
5. Median: 5
What is the Median?
The median is the middle value when data is sorted in order.
Odd number of values: The middle number
Even number of values: The average of the two middle numbers
How to Find the Median
- Sort the numbers from smallest to largest
- Find the middle:
- Odd count: Take the center value
- Even count: Average the two center values
Why Use the Median?
The median is useful because: - Not affected by extreme outliers - Better for skewed data - Represents the "typical" value - Common in income statistics and real estate
Median vs. Mean
- Median: Middle value, resistant to outliers
- Mean: Average, affected by all values equally
For example, in income data with a few very high earners, the median gives a better picture of typical income than the mean.
Common Questions
What is the median in statistics?
The median is the middle value when a dataset is sorted. For odd counts, it's the center value; for even counts, it's the average of the two middle values.
How do you find the median?
To find the median: sort the numbers in order, then find the middle value. If there's an even count, average the two middle numbers.