Statistics
Median
Sort the list, then take the middle entry. With an even count, average the two central values. Resists extreme values.
The Formula
median = middle value of the sorted list
Sort the list, then take the middle entry. With an even count, average the two central values. Resists extreme values.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| n | Count | count | How many values the list contains. |
| median | Median | same unit as the data | Middle value after sorting, or the average of the two middle values. |
What Each Symbol Means
ncount
Count
How many values the list contains.
mediansame unit as the data
Median
Middle value after sorting, or the average of the two middle values.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the average (mean, median and mode) 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 Average (Mean, Median And Mode), filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.