Median Formula: How to Calculate, Examples with Solution

Formula of Median: Statistics is an important part of the Mathematics curriculum for school students. Check this article to find the meaning and definition of the median along with formulas and examples.

Oct 4, 2023, 10:19 IST
Median Formula: How to Calculate, Examples with Solution
Median Formula: How to Calculate, Examples with Solution

Median Formula: The median is the middle of a group of numbers. It is a simple way to represent a lot of data with just one number. To find it, you put the numbers in order and pick the middle one. In this article, you will find the meaning of median with its definition, formula and calculation process with solved examples 

Median Meaning: What is Median?

The median is like finding the middle number in a list of numbers. To find the median, just put the numbers in order and choose the middle number. 

Median Definition

The median is a statistical measure that represents the middle value in a dataset when it is sorted in ascending or descending order. It is commonly used in various fields, including statistics, economics and data analysis.

Median Formula

Calculating the median depends on whether we have an even or odd number of values in our data set, so it's important to figure that out first.

How to Calculate Median For Odd Number of Observations

If you have n observations,

For odd number of observations, median = [(n+1)/2]th term

How to Calculate Median For Even Number of Observations

If you have n observations,

For even number of observations, median = [(n/2)th term + {(n/2) + 1}th term]/2 

Solved Examples

Example 1: The age of the girls in the Science fair is listed as {42,40,50,75,35,58,30}. Find the median of the given set of numbers.

Solution:

Given set 42,40,50,75,35,58,30

Arranged set in ascending order 30,35,40,42,50,58,75

Here, the number of observations (n) = 7.

Median formula when 'n' is odd = {(n + 1)/2}th term]

Median = [(7 + 1)/2]th term = (8/2)th term = 4th term.

The 4th observation is 42.

The median of the set {30,35,40,42,50,58,75} is 42

Example 2: What is the median of the first 6 whole numbers.

Solution:

The first 6 whole numbers are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Number of observations (n) = 6. 

Median = [(n/2) + 1]th term =  4th term

Therefore, median of the first 6 whole numbers is 3.

Example 3: The number of candies that Riya bought on each day of a week were: 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 3, 5. What is the median value of the number of candies she bought?

Solution:
The original set: 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 3, 5.
Arranged set: 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5.
Number of observations(n) = 8.
Since the number of observations is odd, median = [(n/2)th term + {(n/2) + 1}th term]/2 

= (4th term + 5th term) / 2

= 3rd term

Thus, median = 2

Example 4: Number of vlogs posted each week by a YouTube channel in the month of December 2022 is 2, 1, 3, 3.
Solution:

The data arranged in increasing order is 1, 2, 3, 3.

Number of observations (n) = 4. 

Median = [(n/2) + 1]th value =  3rd value

Therefore, median is 3.

Pragya Sagar
Pragya Sagar

Content Writer - Executive

Pragya Sagar has completed her graduation in Journalism, Psychology and English. She holds a PG Diploma in Translation. Pragya has previously been a freelance writer, creating Hindi and English content for websites, blogs and advertising agencies. With a firm believe in the motto of 'Observing, Unlearning and Learning', she is passionate about media and communication. Intrigued by the dynamics of today's fast-paced world, she looks forward to learning and growing at every opportunity.
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FAQs

  • What is median formula for odd?
    +
    For odd number of observations, median = [(n+1)/2]th term
  • What is median formula for even?
    +
    For even number of observations, median = [(n/2)th term + {(n/2) + 1}th term]/2
  • What is the formula for median class 10?
    +
    For even number of observations, median = [(n/2)th term + {(n/2) + 1}th term]/2 and For odd number of observations, median = [(n+1)/2]th term
  • How do I calculate the median?
    +
    Step by step process to find the median: Step 1 - Arrange the data set given in ascending order, small to large value. Step 2 - If the number of observations is odd, use the formula (n+1)/2 th term. Step 3 - If the number of observations is even, median is [(n/2)th term + {(n/2) + 1}th term]/2

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