Measures of Central Tendency

MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
A measure of central tendency or location is a single value about which the set of
observations tend to cluster. It is also called the average. The three types of averages are: the
Mean, the Median and the Mode.
MEAN
One of the simplest and most efficient measures of central tendency is the mean. It is the
value obtained by adding the values in the distribution and dividing the sum by the total number
of values. Notice that all the values in the distribution are taken into consideration when
computing the value of the mean.
A. Mean for Ungrouped Data

__
To compute the mean for ungrouped data, we shall let X be the value of the mean, (read
“x bar”).
X= sum of all the values in distribution

number of values in the distribution
In symbols,
X=
∑X
N
B. Mean for Grouped Data
To compute the value of the mean of a data presented in a frequency distribution, we

shall consider two methods:
1. Midpoint Method
In using this method, the midpoint of each class interval is taken

as the representative of each class. These midpoints are multiplied by
their corresponding frequencies. The products are added and the sum
is divided by the total number of frequencies. The formula is
X=
∑ fX
N
where f - represents the frequency of each class
X - the midpoint of each class
N- the total number of frequencies or sample size
2. Unit Deviation Method
This method is usually implemented by considering an arbitrary

point as the initial step in approximating the value of the mean. This
point is the midpoint of any class interval. The interval containing
the assumed mean shall be referred to as the mean class.
The next step is done by constructing the unit deviation column.

This step involves assigning a deviation value of 0 to the assumed
class mean and the other class marks with successive integers. This
column will then be multiplied by the frequencies. The products are
added and the sum is divided by the sample size. The result is then
multiplied by the size of the class interval.
Finally, the value of the mean is determined by adding the

product to the assumed mean.
The formula will be as follows:
∑ fd
X =AM + ( ) N
ci
where AM - represents the assumed mean

f - the frequency of each class
d - the unit deviation
ci - the class interval
N - the sample size or total number of cases
MEDIAN
The median is the middle value in a set of data, arranged from highest to lowest or vice
versa. It is a single value that divides an array of observations into two equal parts, such that half
of the observations are above it and half are below it.
A. Calculation of the Median for Ungrouped Data
1. In odd number of cases, arrange the set of data from highest to lowest
or vice versa. Write down all the scores. The counting median is the
middlemost score.
2. In even number of cases, arrange the set of data from highest to

lowest or vice versa, writing down all the score. The counting median
is the average of the two middlemost scores.
B. Computation of the Median (Md) by Using Step Distribution or Grouped
Data
1. Calculation of the Median Using the Lower Limit

The formula is:
N
Md=LL+
where:
2
−PS
f ( )
ci
Md is the median
LL is the lower limit of the step where median is located
N is the total number of cases
PS is the partial sum of the frequencies below the step
where the median is located
f is the frequency of the step where the median is located
ci is the class interval
N
The last portion of the formula,

( )
2
−PS
f
ci
is called the
correction formula of the median.
Partial Sum (PS) can be found by adding the frequencies of the step
from the bottom upward up to the sum nearest to one-half of the total
number of cases but not exceeding it. The median should be within
the next higher step.
2. Calculation of the Median Using the Upper Limit

The formula is:
N
Md=UL−
where:
2
−PS
f ( )
ci
UL is the upper limit of the step where median is located

PS is the partial sum of the frequencies above the step
where the median is located
In this method PS can be found by adding the frequencies from the top
downward up to the sum nearest to one-half of the total number of cases
but not exceeding it. The median should be within the next lower step.
MODE
The mode is the value which occurs most frequently in a given data set. The mode can be
determined by inspection.
A. Determining the Mode by Order Distribution (Ungrouped Data)
Arrange the given set of data from highest to lowest or vice versa. The most frequent
value is the mode.
B. Determining the Mode by Step Distribution (Grouped Data)
In the computation of the value of the mode for grouped data, it is necessary to identify
the step that contains the mode. This step, called the modal class, contains the highest frequency
in the distribution. The formula is
d1
Mo=LL+
( )
d 1 +d 2
ci
where LL is the lower limit of the modal class

d1 is the difference between the highest frequency and the
frequency just above it
d2 is the difference between the highest frequency and the
frequency just below it
ci is the class interval
Name____________________________________Score_________________
Date_____________________________________Course Yr. & Sec._______
Exercise No. 4
Measures of Central Tendency
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this exercise, the students are expected to:
1. Identify and compute the different measures of central tendency for
ungrouped and grouped data, specifically, the
a. Mean
b. Median and
c. Mode
2. Interpret these numerical descriptive measures.
EXERCISES:
A.1. The number of large ants killed in a green house was 6, 13, 5, 8, 11, 10, 13,
9, 12,13, 14, 15, and 7. Calculate the mean, median and mode.
A.2. After an insecticide was sprayed around the foundation and inside the
greenhouse, the number of ants killed per day was 3, 1, 2, 0, 3, 2, 1, 4,
0, 1, 2, 3, and 0. Calculate the mean, median and mode. Compare the
computed values of the mean, median and mode before and after
insecticide was sprayed.
A.3. Find the mean, median and mode of the following:
a. 5.5, 3.4, 7.6, 9.4, 4.4, 3.9, 8.6, 5.7, 6.3, 4.7, 5.2, 6.3
b. ½, ¼, 1/3, 1/9, 4/9, 5/8, 7/12, 11/36, 7/24, 1/18

B. On a tree farm 2000 trees were planted. After 5 years, 100 were randomly
picked and the diameters of the leaves were measured in centimeter. The
results are shown below.
13 10 22 19 20 18 17 7 11
16 19 13 12 19 9 18 8 16
17 22 23 26 11 28 16 22 23
21 16 4 17 10 17 13 11 8
18 12 16 23 27 24 20 18 18
14 6 12 25 22 22 30 18 8
15 13 15 11 9 16 18 21 24
7 13 15 10 23 23 20 17 7
10 13 14 14 21 18 10 18 19
20 21 19 3 5 12 13 13 24
24 19 16 10 30 27 7 11 18
14
1. Treating the data above as ungrouped data, compute the mean, median
and mode.
2. Using the data given above, construct a frequency distribution table
with 10 classes, compute the mean, median and mode.
Table 1. Computed Values of the Different Measures of Central

Tendency
PARAMETERS Ungrouped Data Grouped Data
Mean
Median
Mode
3. Compare the computed values of the mean, median and mode for the
ungrouped and grouped data.
4. Determine the relationship of the mean, median and mode.

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MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

A. Mean for Ungrouped Data

X= sum of all the values in distribution

To compute the value of the mean of a data presented in a frequency distribution, we

In using this method, the midpoint of each class interval is taken

This method is usually implemented by considering an arbitrary

The next step is done by constructing the unit deviation column.

Finally, the value of the mean is determined by adding the

The formula will be as follows:

where AM - represents the assumed mean

A. Calculation of the Median for Ungrouped Data

2. In even number of cases, arrange the set of data from highest to

1. Calculation of the Median Using the Lower Limit

The last portion of the formula,

2. Calculation of the Median Using the Upper Limit

UL is the upper limit of the step where median is located

A. Determining the Mode by Order Distribution (Ungrouped Data)

B. Determining the Mode by Step Distribution (Grouped Data)

where LL is the lower limit of the modal class

2. Interpret these numerical descriptive measures.

A.3. Find the mean, median and mode of the following:

b. ½, ¼, 1/3, 1/9, 4/9, 5/8, 7/12, 11/36, 7/24, 1/18

Table 1. Computed Values of the Different Measures of Central

4. Determine the relationship of the mean, median and mode.

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