Median vs. Mean: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Median is the middle value in a set of numbers, while Mean is the average, calculated by adding all numbers and dividing by the count.
Key Differences
Median represents the middle value in a sorted list of numbers, exactly splitting the dataset into two halves. Mean, or average, is computed by adding all the values together and dividing by the number of values. The median is less affected by extreme values, whereas the mean can be skewed by them.
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In statistics, the median is used as a measure of central tendency, especially useful in skewed distributions. The mean is also a measure of central tendency, but it can be misleading in distributions with outliers. Median provides a better central value in such cases, while the mean may not accurately represent the data.
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When considering incomes or property values, median can give a more accurate sense of the typical value, as it is not skewed by extremely high or low values. In contrast, the mean might give a distorted view if a few values are exceptionally high or low compared to the rest.
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In datasets with an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle numbers. For the mean, all values are equally significant, regardless of their position in the data set. Thus, the mean considers all data points, while the median focuses on the central position.
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The median is often used in ordinal data, where values are ranked but not necessarily equally spaced. The mean is more appropriate for interval or ratio data, where the distances between values are meaningful. Median is suitable for ordinal data, whereas mean is ideal for more precise numerical data.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Calculation in Even Set
Average of two middle numbers
Same method regardless of data set size
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Median and Mean Definitions
Median
Central value in a data set, particularly in statistics.
The median age of participants in the study was 35 years.
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Mean
The arithmetic average of a set of numbers.
The mean temperature for the week was 75 degrees.
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Median
Middle number in a range of values, especially in economics.
The median house price in the area indicates affordability.
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Mean
To have an intention or purpose.
She didn't mean to offend you with her comment.
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Mean
Being unkind, spiteful, or unfair.
His mean comments hurt her feelings.
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Median
Point that divides a line segment into two equal parts.
In geometry, the median of a triangle connects a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
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Mean
To convey or represent a particular idea.
In this context, 'green' means environmentally friendly.
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Mean
Modest or not expensive, often relating to living standards.
They live a mean lifestyle to save money.
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Median
(Anatomy) Of, relating to, or situated in or near the plane that divides a bilaterally symmetrical animal into right and left halves; mesial.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
To be used to convey; denote
"'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things'" (Lewis Carroll).
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Median
(Statistics) Relating to or constituting the middle value in a distribution.
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Mean
To act as a symbol of; signify or represent
In this poem, the budding flower means youth.
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Mean
To intend to convey or indicate
"No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous" (Henry Adams).
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Median
The dividing area, either paved or landscaped, between opposing lanes of traffic on some highways. Also called regionally boulevard, mall, median strip, meridian, neutral ground.
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Mean
To have as a purpose or an intention; intend
I meant to go running this morning, but I overslept.
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Median
(Statistics) The middle value in a distribution, above and below which lie an equal number of values.
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Mean
To design, intend, or destine for a certain purpose or end
A building that was meant for storage.
A student who was meant to be a scientist.
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Oct 19, 2023
Median
A line that joins a vertex of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side.
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Median
The line that joins the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid.
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Mean
To have the importance or value of
The opinions of the critics meant nothing to him. She meant so much to me.
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Median
A central vein or nerve, especially the median vein or median nerve running through the forearm and arm.
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Mean
To have intentions of a specified kind; be disposed
They mean well but lack tact.
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Median
(geometry) A line segment joining the vertex of triangle to the midpoint of the opposing side.
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Mean
Lacking in kindness; unkind
The teacher was not being mean in asking you to be quiet.
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Median
(statistics) A number separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample, population, or probability distribution. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one (e.g., the median of {3, 3, 5, 9, 11} is 5). If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values.
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Mean
Cruel, spiteful, or malicious
A mean boy who liked to make fun of others.
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Median
(US) The area separating two lanes of opposite-direction traffic; the median strip.
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Median
(anatomy) Situated in a middle, central, or intermediate part, section, or range of (something).
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Median
In the middle of an organ, structure etc.; towards the median plane of an organ or limb.
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Median
Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a median groove.
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Median
Situated in the middle; lying in a plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and left halves; - said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median coverts.
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Mean
Something having a position, quality, or condition midway between extremes; a medium.
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Mean
A number that typifies a set of numbers, such as a geometric mean or an arithmetic mean.
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Median
Relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in an even-numbered set);
The median value of 17, 20, and 36 is 20
The median income for the year was $15,000
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Mean
Means (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved.
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Median
Middle value in an ordered set of numbers.
The median income of the group was $50,000.
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Nov 14, 2023
Mean
(transitive) To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.
I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.
I mean to go to Baddeck this summer.
I meant to take the car in for a smog check, but it slipped my mind.
The authors meant a challenge to the status quo.
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Mean
(intransitive) To have as intentions of a given kind.
Don't be angry; she meant well.
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Mean
To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.
Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.
Man was not meant to question such things.
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Mean
(transitive) To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation.[https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/i_mean%20I%20mean]
Your reasoning seems needlessly abstruse, complex, and verbose for me. I mean, could you dumb it down for my sake?
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(transitive) To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea).
The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm?
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Mean
(transitive) Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.
What does this hieroglyph mean?
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Mean
(transitive) Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude.
I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.
He is a little different, if you know what I mean.
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Mean
(transitive) To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says).
Does she really mean what she said to him last night?
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(transitive) To cause or produce (a given result); to bring about (a given result).
One faltering step means certain death.
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Mean
(usually with to) To be of some level of importance.
That little dog meant everything to me.
Formality and titles mean nothing in their circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble.
A man of mean parentage
A mean abode
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Mean
Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.
A mean appearance
A mean dress
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Mean
Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base.
A mean motive
It was mean of you to steal that little girl's piggy bank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of little value or worth; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
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Mean
Ungenerous; stingy; tight-fisted.
He's so mean. I've never seen him spend so much as five pounds on presents for his children.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Intending to cause harm, successfully or otherwise; bearing ill will towards another.
Watch out for her, she's mean. I said good morning to her, and she punched me in the nose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Powerful; fierce; strong.
It must have been a mean typhoon that levelled this town.
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Mean
(colloquial) Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with.
Your mother can roll a mean cigarette.
He hits a mean backhand.
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Mean
Having the mean (see noun below) as its value; average.
The mean family has 2.4 children.
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Mean
Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium.
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Mean
The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument.
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Mean
(statistics) The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean.
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Mean
(mathematics) Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency.
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Mean
(mathematics) Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6.
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Mean
To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do?
What mean ye by this service ?
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.
I am not a SpaniardTo say that it is yours and not to mean it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.
What mean these seven ewe lambs ?
Go ye, and learn what that meaneth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble.
The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself.
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Mean
Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove,To save my life by changing of my love ?
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
The Roman legions and great Cæsar foundOur fathers no mean foes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes.
Being of middle age and a mean stature.
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Mean
Intermediate in excellence of any kind.
According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly.
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Mean
Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day.
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Mean
That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure.
But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude.
There is a mean in all things.
The extremes we have mentioned, between which the wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are correlatives.
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Mean
A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the nth root of the product of the n quantities being averaged.
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Mean
That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.
Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ.
You may be able, by this mean, to review your own scientific acquirements.
Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean.
By this means he had them more at vantage.
What other means is left unto us.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.
Your means are very slender, and your waste is great.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.
The mean is drowned with your unruly base.
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Mean
A mediator; a go-between.
He wooeth her by means and by brokage.
If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so good as that on the other.
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Mean
An average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
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Mean
Mean or intend to express or convey;
You never understand what I mean!
What do his words intend?
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Mean
Have as a logical consequence;
The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Denote or connote;
`maison' means `house' in French
An example sentence would show what this word means
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Have in mind as a purpose;
I mean no harm
I only meant to help you
She didn't think to harm me
We thought to return early that night
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Have a specified degree of importance;
My ex-husband means nothing to me
Happiness means everything
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Intend to refer to;
I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Destine or designate for a certain purpose;
These flowers were meant for you
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;
The average income in New England is below that of the nation
Of average height for his age
The mean annual rainfall
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Mean
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;
That liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Taking a mean advantage
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Marked by poverty befitting a beggar;
A beggarly existence in the slums
A mean hut
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Used of persons or behavior; characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity;
A mean person
He left a miserly tip
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do you calculate the median?
Median is the middle value in a list of numbers sorted in ascending or descending order.
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Nov 18, 2023
What does median signify in statistics?
Median signifies the middle value, dividing a dataset into two equal halves.
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Can mean be negative?
Yes, if the dataset contains negative numbers, the mean can be negative.
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Why use mean instead of median?
Mean is useful for datasets without extreme values, giving a balanced average.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is the median always a number in the dataset?
In an odd-sized dataset, yes; in an even-sized dataset, it's the average of the two middle numbers.
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Nov 18, 2023
Does the mean provide a clear picture of data distribution?
Not always, as it doesn't account for how data is spread out.
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What is the mean in mathematics?
Mean is the average value obtained by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can median and mean be the same?
In symmetric distributions, median and mean can be the same.
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What happens to the median in a bimodal distribution?
The median remains the middle value but may not represent the modes.
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Does the mean consider each data point?
Yes, every value in the dataset influences the mean.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is the mean always a value in the dataset?
No, the mean might not be an actual value in the dataset.
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Why can the mean be misleading?
The mean can be misleading in datasets with extreme outliers.
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Does the median get affected by extreme values?
No, the median is less influenced by outliers or extreme values.
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Nov 18, 2023
When is it better to use the median?
Median is better for skewed distributions or when there are outliers.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is median affected by the scale of measurement?
No, the median is not affected by the scale of measurement.
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Do mean and median always provide useful insights?
They may not provide complete insights alone and are often used with other statistical measures.
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What type of data is unsuitable for mean calculation?
Nominal or categorical data is unsuitable for mean calculation.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can both mean and median be zero?
Yes, both can be zero if the data is symmetrically distributed around zero.
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Nov 18, 2023
In what scenario is the mean more stable than the median?
The mean is more stable in larger datasets with no significant outliers.
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Can median be used for all types of data?
Median is best used for ordinal or continuous data.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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