Median vs. Tertile: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
Median is the middle value in a sorted list of numbers, while tertiles divide a dataset into three equal parts based on their values.
Key Differences
Median represents the middle value in a dataset when it is arranged in ascending or descending order, effectively dividing the dataset in half. Tertiles, on the other hand, divide the dataset into three equal parts, identifying the cut-off points at the 33rd and 67th percentiles.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
In a dataset, the median is the point where 50% of the data lies below and 50% above it, used as a measure of central tendency. Tertiles are used to understand the distribution of data, with each tertile representing a third of the dataset.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
The median is less sensitive to outliers and skewed data compared to the mean, providing a more accurate representation of the dataset's center. In contrast, tertiles provide a broader view of the data’s spread, dividing it into three segments to analyze different ranges within the data.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
When calculating the median, if the dataset has an odd number of observations, it is the middle number; with an even number, it is the average of the two middle numbers. Tertiles, however, are specifically about dividing the data into three distinct parts, regardless of the dataset's size.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
The median is a commonly used measure in statistics, particularly useful in income and property value analyses. Tertiles are often used in more detailed statistical analysis, especially in fields like economics, to categorize and compare subsets of data.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Middle value in a sorted list of numbers.
Divides data into three equal parts.
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Sensitivity to Data
Less sensitive to outliers.
Offers a detailed view of data segments.
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Dec 29, 2023
Calculation Method
Middle number, or average of two middle numbers in even-sized datasets.
Divides data into 33rd and 67th percentile segments.
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Dec 29, 2023
Common Usage
Used in analyzing income, property values.
Used for detailed statistical analyses in various fields.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Median and Tertile Definitions
Median
Divides a dataset into two equal halves.
In this dataset, the median divides the ages into two groups.
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Tertile
Used for detailed data distribution analysis.
Income levels were categorized into tertiles for the study.
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Dec 29, 2023
Median
Used in both even and odd-sized datasets.
With an even number of houses, the median value was calculated by averaging two middle prices.
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Tertile
Based on 33rd and 67th percentiles.
The second tertile contained students with average performances.
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Tertile
Divides data into three equal segments.
The first tertile represented the lowest third of test scores.
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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
Tertile
Aids in comparative analysis of data subsets.
The company focused on the middle tertile for market expansion.
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Dec 29, 2023
Median
(Statistics) Relating to or constituting the middle value in a distribution.
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Oct 19, 2023
Tertile
Segments data into lower, middle, and upper thirds.
The upper tertile highlighted the top-performing sales regions.
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Dec 29, 2023
Tertile
(statistics) Either of the two points that divide an ordered distribution into three parts, each containing a third of the population.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Tertile
(statistics) Any one of the three groups so divided.
The first tertile results include January through April's revenues.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Median
A line that joins a vertex of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side.
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Oct 19, 2023
Median
The line that joins the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid.
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Oct 19, 2023
Median
A central vein or nerve, especially the median vein or median nerve running through the forearm and arm.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Median
The middle value in an ordered dataset.
The median income of the group was $50,000.
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Median
A measure of central tendency in statistics.
The median score was a more accurate reflection than the average.
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Median
Less affected by outliers in data.
The median rent was not skewed by a few extremely high values.
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Dec 29, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can median be the same as the mean?
Sometimes, but not necessarily, especially in skewed distributions.
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Dec 29, 2023
How are tertiles calculated?
By dividing the dataset into three parts at the 33rd and 67th percentiles.
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Dec 29, 2023
How is the median calculated?
By arranging data in order and finding the middle value.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is median affected by extreme values?
No, median is less sensitive to outliers compared to the mean.
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Dec 29, 2023
Do tertiles contain an equal number of data points?
Yes, each tertile contains approximately one-third of the data points.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can median be used for all types of data?
Yes, median can be used for both numerical and ordinal data.
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Dec 29, 2023
Are median and average the same?
No, median is the middle value, while average refers to the mean.
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Dec 29, 2023
How do tertiles help in statistical analysis?
They provide insights into the spread and range of the data.
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Dec 29, 2023
What is the use of tertiles?
Tertiles are used to analyze data distribution and segment it for comparison.
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What does the first tertile represent?
The first tertile represents the lower third of a dataset.
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Dec 29, 2023
What if a dataset has an even number of observations?
For the median, average the two middle numbers; for tertiles, divide as closely as possible to thirds.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is median suitable for large datasets?
Yes, median can be effectively used in both large and small datasets.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is the median always a value from the dataset?
In odd-sized datasets, yes; in even-sized, it's the average of two middle values.
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Dec 29, 2023
Do tertiles indicate the average of data?
No, they segment the data but don't indicate averages.
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Dec 29, 2023
Are tertiles used in economic studies?
Yes, particularly for income distribution and similar studies.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can median be used in skewed data?
Yes, it's particularly useful in skewed distributions.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can tertiles be used for categorical data?
They are best suited for ordinal or continuous data.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does every dataset have a clear median?
Yes, every ordered dataset has a median, even if it's the average of two middle values.
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Dec 29, 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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