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 individual outliers, whether high or low, strongly affect the average but not the median.
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 remains more stable. This makes it particularly useful when looking at a trend, especially when there are relatively few individual values. If we had hundreds of values, the median and average would become closer.
