The data below represents students’ test scores. Which of the following is the median of the set data?
11, 12, 18, 14, 22, 17, 17, 12, 26, 12, 13
A.
15
B.
12
C.
14
D.
15.8
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To find the median of a set of data, follow these steps:
Step 1: Arrange the data in ascending order
The original data set is:
11, 12, 18, 14, 22, 17, 17, 12, 26, 12, 13
First, we sort the data:
11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, 17, 17, 18, 22, 26
Step 2: Determine the position of the median
The median is the middle value in an ordered data set. If the number of data points is odd, the median is the middle number. If the number of data points is even, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.
In this case, there are 11 numbers in total (odd), so the median is the value at position ( \frac{11+1}{2} = 6 ).
Step 3: Identify the median
The 6th number in the ordered data set is 14.
Thus, the median of this data set is 14.
Explanation:
The median is a measure of central tendency that identifies the middle value of a data set, representing the point at which half the values are below and half the values are above. Unlike the mean, the median is not affected by extremely large or small values (outliers) in the data set, making it a robust measure, especially for skewed distributions.
In this case, sorting the data and locating the middle value (14) ensures that the median reflects a central point in the distribution of test scores. This method prevents extreme values, like 26 or 11, from disproportionately affecting the analysis. Hence, 14 is a more reliable reflection of the typical performance in this data set.
Correct answer: C. 14