How to Find the Median

Step-by-step solution

1. Sort the values from smallest to largest.

   $$3,\ 5,\ 7,\ 9,\ 11$$

   Why: The median is the middle value of the sorted list.

2. Count the values and find the middle position.

   $$5\ \text{values, so the middle is position } 3$$

   Why: An odd count has one middle value.

3. Read the middle value.

   $$\text{median } = 7$$

   Why: 7 sits in the middle of the sorted list.

Practice problems

Use the same method. Work each problem on paper, then open the answer to check.

1. 1

   $4,\ 1,\ 9$

   Show answer

   $\text{median } 4$

2. 2

   $8,\ 2,\ 6,\ 4$

   Show answer

   $\text{median } 5$

3. 3

   $10,\ 20,\ 30,\ 40,\ 50$

   Show answer

   $\text{median } 30$

4. 4

   $5,\ 9,\ 1,\ 7,\ 3$

   Show answer

   $\text{median } 5$

5. 5

   $2,\ 8$

   Show answer

   $\text{median } 5$