Enter Data and Find the Median

As you just learned, the median is the middle number in a list of numbers that have been arranged in order and has the same amount of numbers above it as below it in the list.

In this video, you will enter your starter data into a spreadsheet.

You will then find the median in two ways: by sorting the spreadsheet to find the middle number and then by experimenting with the median function in Google Sheets.

The starter data you will use is an example of a data set, or a collection of numbers related to a topic.

A data point is an individual piece of information.

In this example, the data set is a list of daily temperatures in April, while the data points are each individual temperature.

When you put the data points in numerical order within the data set, the median is the number that appears in the middle.

To begin, return to your spreadsheet and open the starter data set linked next to this video in another tab.

A spreadsheet consists of boxes called cells.

These cells are grouped into vertical series called columns and horizontal series called rows.

Columns, rows, and cells allow you to organize, sort, and visualize your data in different ways.

Begin by making headers for the columns to label your data.

Next, enter the first fifteen days of the starter data set into the spreadsheet.

If the data set you are using has fewer or more numbers than the starter set, that’s ok.

Now, sort the rows by the column you want to find the median in.

Look for the number that appears right in the center of the list.

This is the median.

Count that there are the same amount of numbers above the number as there are below it.

If there is an even number of data points, there will be two middle numbers.

To find the real median, calculate the average of these two numbers.

For example, if the two middle numbers are forty-six and forty-seven, the median is forty-six point five.

You can also use a function, or preset formula, to find the median.

This is useful when there are too many numbers in the set to easily count them yourself.

Begin your function with an equal sign.

Now, it’s your turn: Make headers for your spreadsheet, Enter your data in your spreadsheet, Find the median by sorting the spreadsheet to see which number is the middle point, And then experiment with finding the median by using the median function.