Numbers and measures
Median
The middle value once the values are sorted.
- Numbers and measures
Definition
The middle value once the values are sorted. Half the values are below it and half are above. Extreme values barely move it.
Example
Suppose four invoices take 20, 25, 30 and 35 days to pay. A fifth takes 180 days. The median of the five is 30 days. The mean is 58 days because of the one late payer.
See how it works
Ordered observations20, 25, 30, 35, 180
Middle observation30
Median = 30; mean = 58.
Check your understanding
Common mistake: Median means the middle ordered value, not halfway between the smallest and largest values.
What is the median of 2, 8 and 5?
Show explanation
5 after sorting the observations as 2, 5, 8.
For your role
Choose your role to see what this term means in your work.
Why it matters
It gives a truer picture than the mean when a few values are extreme.
Where it is used
Salary reports, house prices and delivery time analysis.