What does median mean in math terms?

Pronunciation

/ˈmɪdiən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

In mathematics, the median is the middle value in a dataset when it is arranged in order. It is the value that separates the higher half from the lower half of the data.

Examples

• The median score of the exam was 75.
• To find the median of the dataset, we need to arrange the numbers in order.

Synonyms

• Middle value
• Midpoint

Antonyms

• Mode
• Mean

Additional Information

The median is a measure of central tendency, which helps to understand the distribution of a dataset. It is commonly used in statistical analysis and data visualization. In a dataset with an odd number of values, the median is the middle value. In a dataset with an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values.

The median is a robust statistic, which means it is less affected by outliers compared to the mean. This makes it a useful measure of central tendency in datasets with extreme values.

The median is also used in real-life scenarios, such as finance, economics, and healthcare, to analyze and understand large datasets.

Etymology

The word “median” comes from the Latin word “medianus”, meaning “middle”. It was first used in the 15th century to describe the middle value of a dataset.

Usage Notes

The median is commonly used in statistical analysis, data visualization, and research papers. It is often used in conjunction with other measures of central tendency, such as the mean and mode.

Cultural References

The median has been referenced in popular culture, such as in TV shows and movies, to describe the middle point of a dataset.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Median income” refers to the middle value of income in a population.
• “Median price” refers to the middle value of prices in a market.

Related Words or Phrases

• Mean
• Mode
• Standard deviation

Collocations

• Median score
• Median value
• Median income

Frequency of Use

The median is a commonly used term in statistical analysis and data visualization, with a frequency of use of around 50% in academic papers and 20% in popular media.

Common Misspellings

• Median (correct spelling)
• Medain
• Mediyan