Statistics

Mean vs Median: When to Use Each

Learn when to use the mean or the median with two worked examples and the most common mistakes.

The difference

The mean is pulled by extreme values. The median is resistant to them.

Example 1

Find the mean and median of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.

  1. Mean = 30 ÷ 5 = 6
  2. Sorted already, middle value = 6
Mean 6, median 6

Example 2

Find the mean and median of 3, 4, 5, 6, 92.

  1. Mean = 110 ÷ 5 = 22
  2. Median = 5 (middle of the sorted list)
Mean 22, median 5

Common mistake

Use the mean for skewed data like incomes or house prices

With outliers or skew, report the median.

For an even count, the median is the average of the two middle values. Sort first.

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