Statistics
Median of an ordered list
Sort first. With an odd count take the middle value; with an even count average the two central values.
The Formula
median = middle value, or mean of the two middle values
Sort first. With an odd count take the middle value; with an even count average the two central values.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| median | Median | same as data | Middle value of the ordered data. |
| n | Count | count | Number of values in the set. |
What Each Symbol Means
mediansame as data
Median
Middle value of the ordered data.
ncount
Count
Number of values in the set.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the median page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Median, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.