This document defines mean and median and provides examples of how to calculate each. It explains that mean is calculated by adding all values and dividing by the total number of values, while median involves ordering data from lowest to highest and selecting the middle value or averaging the two middle values for an even data set. An activity is described where students count M&Ms in bags to practice finding the mean and median.

1. Mean and MedianRyan Sparrow10-30-2009

2. Science Standard 2:Scientific ThinkingIndicator 6.2.1: Find the mean and median of a set of data.Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

3. DefinitionsMean-the average obtained by adding the values and dividing by the number of values.Median-the value that divides a set of data, written in order of size, into two equal parts.

4. Finding the MeanExample-Data: 1, 4, 3, 5, 2-Add the numbers: 1+4+3+5+2=15-Divide by how many numbers were added (5): 15÷5=3-The mean is 3.

5. Finding the MedianExample (if there is an odd amount of data)-Data: 1, 4, 3, 5, 2-Put data in order from least to greatest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-The median is the middle number: 3

6. Finding the MedianExample (if there is an even amount of data)-Data: 1, 4, 3, 5, 2, 6-Put data in order from least to greatest: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-Find the two middle numbers, add them up, and divide by two. 3+4=7 7÷2=3.5-The median is 3.5

7. MaterialsPencil/PenPaperM&MsNapkins

8. ActivityEach group needs a recorder to write down the information.Each person needs to count the M&Ms in their bag and tell the recorder how many they have.As a group, find the mean and median of the data.Record the information on the board.

9. Other Mean and Median ActivitiesM&Ms as a whole classClass heightClass shoe sizeClass backpack weightHeight of lima bean and pinto bean plants.Many others

10. ReferencesIndiana Department of Education standard: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxMean: http://www.mathsisfun.com/mean.htmlMedian: http://www.mathsisfun.com/median.htmlPictures: ClipArtM&Ms picture: http://home.fnal.gov/~cheung/rtes/RTESWeb/activity_site/images/minis%20mm.jpg