The Mean, Median and Mode are all different methods of calculating the average from a set of data. The Range is the spread of values in a set of data.
There are always questions in the 11 Plus on Mean, Median, Mode and Range and it is essential that your child knows the difference between them and can calculate them all.
How to find the Mean
What does 'mean' mean? - 'Mean' means average and that is a good way to remember what the mean is. To find the mean we need to add up all the data and then divide the total amount by the number of values in the set.
Lets use this set of numbers - 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
1 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 = 50
There are 10 different values, so divide the total by 10 to get the mean.
50 ÷ 10 = 5 ...... The Mean is 5
Have go at The Mean Machine from Maths is Fun
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How to find the Median
What does 'median' mean? - 'Median' is the middle number of the set.
Using this set of numbers - 7 is the middle number
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ...... The Median is 7
Using this set of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 there are two middle values
The median is halfway between these numbers, 5.5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ...... The Median is 5.5
Using these numbers 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 there are also two middle values
On this occasion, both values are the same, 5
1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ...... The Median is 5
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How to find the Mode
What does 'mode' mean? - 'Mode' is the value that appears the most.
Using this set of numbers 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
The value 3 occurs three times in the set, it appears the most
1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ...... The Mode is 3
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How to find the Range
What does 'range' mean? - 'Range' is the difference between the highest and lowest number. To find the range, we subtract the lowest number from the highest number
Using this set of numbers 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
9 is the highest number and 1 is the lowest number
1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ..... 9 -1 = 8 ..... The Range is 8
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Remember
'Mean' means average - add up all the data and then divide by the number of values.
'Median' is the middle number of the set.
'Mode' is the value that appears the most.
'Range' is the difference between the highest and lowest number.
