How is the median of a data set determined?

The method for determining the median of a data set involves sorting the numbers in ascending order and then selecting the middle value. The median is an important measure of central tendency that effectively represents the center of a data set, particularly when the data contains outliers or is skewed.

To find the median, you first arrange all of the values from least to greatest. If the total number of observations is odd, the median is the number located exactly in the middle of the sorted list. If the total number of values is even, the median is calculated by taking the average of the two middle numbers. This process ensures that the median provides a balance point for the data set, making it a useful statistic for understanding distribution.

The other methods mentioned do not accurately capture the definition of median. Averaging all numbers leads to the mean, which can be heavily influenced by outliers. Identifying the most frequently occurring number refers to the mode, while dividing the sum of numbers by the count gives the mean, not the median. Thus, the correct process for determining the median is accurately described in the chosen response.