How to Find the Mode of a Data Set

Step-by-step solution

1. Count how often each value appears.

   $$1 \to 1,\quad 2 \to 1,\quad 3 \to 1,\quad 5 \to 3,\quad 7 \to 1$$

   Why: The mode is the value with the highest frequency, so a count is the fastest route.

2. Find the largest frequency.

   $$3\ \text{appearances of } 5$$

   Why: Every other value appears once, while 5 appears three times.

3. Write the mode.

   $$\text{mode } = 5$$

   Why: A data set can have more than one mode, but here one value wins.

Practice problems

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

1. 1

   $4,\ 4,\ 1,\ 2,\ 4$

   Show answer

   $\text{mode } 4$

2. 2

   $7,\ 8,\ 8,\ 9,\ 8$

   Show answer

   $\text{mode } 8$

3. 3

   $1,\ 2,\ 2,\ 3,\ 3$

   Show answer

   $\text{modes } 2 \text{ and } 3$

4. 4

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

   Show answer

   $\text{mode } 6$

5. 5

   $9,\ 1,\ 9,\ 9,\ 2$

   Show answer

   $\text{mode } 9$