What is the median?
In statistical analyses we show the median, and the median can also be displayed in the chart over time. We are often asked what the median is.
The median is a type of average, similar to the mean (average) that everyone knows.
Average
If we have 5 numbers and want to calculate the average, we simply add them up and divide the total by 5.
Example:
Numbers: 3, 6, 2, 4, 9
Sum: 3+6+2+4+9 = 24
Average: 24 / 5 = 4.8
Median
For the median, the numbers are sorted and the middle value is taken. If there are two middle values, the median is the average of those two.
Example:
Numbers: 3, 6, 2, 4, 9
Sorted: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9
Median: 4
The idea is that single outliersvery high or very low valuescan strongly affect the average, but they don't affect the median as much.
Average and median compared
Example: 115, 120, 125, 160
Average: 130
Median: 122.5
The average is pulled up noticeably by the one outlier, while the median stays more stable. That makes the median especially useful when looking at trends, particularly when there are only a few individual values. With hundreds of values, the median and the average would come closer together.
