This document defines and provides examples of different measures of central tendency including range, mean, median, and mode. It then provides 9 questions asking the reader to identify the central tendency measure that best represents given data sets and explain their reasoning. Examples include data on product defects, test scores, puppy weights, commuting methods, snowfall, cereal and property tax bills. The reader is asked to calculate and compare the mean, median, mode, range and identify any outliers for each data set.

1. CENTRAL TENDENCY
By: Marlenys Mora
Period 6

2. Range
The greatest number subtracted by the lowest number in a set of numbers.

3. Mean
In a set of data you add all the numbers together and divided by the #
of data.

4. Median
Middle, thing, person, number ect. In a group. I they are two Middle
numbers add the numbers together and divide them by 2 or by the
amount of middle numbers you find.

5. Mode
The most common number in a data set.
The boys would be the “mode” of this picture because
they appear the most.

6. Outliers
The Thing, number, place ect. That is most different from the rest
The brown, gray and black kitten would be the outlier.

7. Try it!
Jessica’s test scores in Algebra for the first semester are 93, 79, 88, 77, 92, 88, 80, 34, 84, 88.
Calculate the range, mean, median, and mode. Then make and explain a prediction for next
semester’s test scores
34, 77, 79, 80, 84, 88, 88, 88, 92, 93
Range: 93 - 34= 59
Mean: 34 + 77 + 79 + 80 + 84 + 88 + 88 + 88 + 92 + 93 = 803/10 = 80.3
Median: 84 + 88 = 172/2 = 86
Mode: 88

8. Group Exercises
Witch Measures of central tendency
best represents the data? Justify
your answer.
Then find all the central tendency
measures and compare the results.

9. Question 1
1. DEFECTS A furniture manufacturer keeps records of how many units are
defective each day.(7,12,9,10,14,8))
7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14
Mean: 11.33
Median:9
Mode:8
Outlier: No outlier
Range:7
How could you verify this decision?
I would use mean because it would be
more accurate and closer to the units
defective each day.

10. Question 2
2. SCIENCE TEST Mr. Wharton records his students scores on the last science
test(94,88,88,94,84.94.88.84,94)
84, 84, 88, 88, 88, 94, 94, 94, 94, 94
Mean:90.2
Mode:94
Range:10
Outlier: No Outlier
Median:182/2=91
Predict the outcome of the mean and range if there were 2 20’s added to the
science test explain?
Mean: 78.5
Range:74
The mean would be lower b/c of the two 20’s added together it will bring it down.

11. Question 3
3. PUPPIES A veterinarian keeps records of the weights of puppies in ounces
(4.1,3.8,5.0,5.6,4.7,11.6)
3.8, 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 5.0, 5.6, 11.6
Mean: 5.62
Median:4.7
Mode: No Mode
Range:7.8
Outlier:11.6
How would you explain the range and its connection to the data set?
Range is the highest # subtracted by the lowest number in the data set. I think the
connection because confirms the accuracy

12. Question 4
4. COMMUTING The local newspaper conducted a telephone survey of commuters to
see how the get to work each day. The responses were: commuter rail, 22; bus, 17;
subway, 18; walking 15; car ,224.
15, 17, 18, 22, 224
Mean:59.2
Median:18
Mode: No Mode
Range:209
Outlier:224
What facts can you gather about the outlier? Which central tendency would be affected
by
the outlier?
The outlier is the oddest number in a set of data, in other words the one that doesn’t
belong. Mean
Could be affected by outlier. It would not be accurate.

13. Question 5
5. SNOWFALL A weather station keeps records of how many inches of snow fall each
week (9,2,0,3,0,2,1,2,3,1).
0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 9
Mean:2.3
Median:2
Mode:2
Range:9
Outlier:9
What would happen to your decision if we had a blizzard and added 24 inches to the
above data.
This would be the Mean:4.27
This would be the Median:2
This would be the Mode:2
This would be theRange:24
This would be theOutlier:24

14. Question 6
6. SALES a supermarket keeps records of how many boxes of cereal are sold each day
in a week (12,9,11,14,19,49,18)
9, 11, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 49
Mean:17.875
Mode:11
Median:13
Range:40
Outlier:49
Based on above information which cereal makes the most money.
I think the outlier makes the most money

15. Question 7
7. A city councilman keeps tracks of the numbers of votes he receives in each
district(68,66,59,61,62,67)
59, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68
Mean:63.83
Median:64
Mode: No Mode
Range:9
Outlier: No Outlier
If you ran against the city councilman and wanted to beat him what voting numbers
would you want to see.
68 because is the highest

16. Question 8
8. BODYBUILDING A body builder keeps track of how many sets
of each exercise he performs each day:(9,8,6,5,11,7,10)
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Mean:8
Median:8
Mode: No Mode
Range:6
Outlier: No Outlier
I think that mean because it would be the most accurate answer

17. Question 9
9. PROPERTY TAXES A landlord is keeping track of what he pays each month in
property taxes so he can budget accordingly. For the first half of the year, the tax bills
were $256, $256,$274,$256,$256,$274. Which measure of central tendency best
represents the data.
$256,$256,$256,$256,$274,$274=1572/6=262
Mean:262
Median:256
Mode:256
Range:18
Outlier: 274

18. THE END