How do you find the median of a data set?

To find the median of a data set, follow these steps:

1. Arrange the data: First, sort all the numbers in your data set in ascending order, from the smallest to the largest.
2. Count the numbers: Determine how many numbers are in your data set (let’s call this number n).
3. Find the median:
   • If n is odd, the median is the middle number. You can find it by using the formula:
     Median = data[(n – 1) / 2].
   • If n is even, the median is the average of the two middle numbers. In this case, use the formula:
     Median = (data[n / 2 – 1] + data[n / 2]) / 2.

For example, if your data set is {3, 1, 2, 5, 4}, you would first sort it to {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. There are 5 numbers (which is odd), so the median is the middle number, which is 3.

If your data set is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, you’d sort it (though it’s already sorted), and since there are 6 numbers (even), the median is the average of the third and fourth numbers: (3 + 4) / 2 = 3.5.