Grade

10

MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 4 – MODULE 2
MELC 2

Calculating Measures
of Position
PART I.
MELC 2: Calculates a specified measure of position (e.g. 90th percentile) of a
set of data

A. Introduction and Discussion

This module focuses on the key concepts on measures of position particularly on the
concept of calculating the quartile, decile and percentile of a given set of data. It also includes
pre-requisite skill concerning the concept on computing the measures of central tendency
especially the median.
After going through this module, you are expected to calculate specified measure of
position of a set of data.

B. Illustrative Examples:
Lesson 1: Measures of Position for Ungrouped Data
The median is the “middle” of list of numbers arranged in ascending order.

Example 1.
Find the median of the following set of numbers: 3, 13, 7, 5, 21, 27, 39, 23, 40, 24, 14,
12, 56, 23, 29.
Solution:
First, you need to arrange the given set of numbers in ascending order.
3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 21, 23, 23, 24, 27, 29, 39, 40, 56
Since the middle value of this set of numbers is 23, then the median is 23

Example 2.
Andrei’s scores in 10 quizzes during the first quarter are 5, 7, 7, 5, 10, 9, 8, 10, 6, and 8. Find
the median.
Solution:
Arrange the scores in increasing order: 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8,8, 9, 10, 10.
Since the number of measures is even, then the median is the mean of the two middle scores.
𝟕+𝟖
𝑴𝒅 = 𝟐 = 𝟕. 𝟓
Hence, the median of the set of scores is 7.5.

The Quartile for Ungrouped Data

The quartiles are the score points which divide a distribution into four equal
parts. Quartiles are denoted as 𝑸𝟏 , 𝑸𝟐 , and 𝑸𝟑 .The second quartile (𝑄2 ) is equal to
the median.

Example 1.
The owner of MyTEA shop recorded the number of customers who came into his
shop each hour in a day. The results were 16, 6, 12, 10, 8, 7, 15, 17, 9, 15, and10. Find the
lower quartile (𝑄1 ) and upper quartile(𝑄3 ) of the data.
Solution:
• Arrange the data in ascending order
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 12, 15, 15, 16, 17
• The least value in the data is 6 and the greatest value in the data is 17.
• The middle value in the data is 10.

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 • The lower quartile is the value that is between the middle value and the least value in
the data set.
• So, the lower quartile is 8.
• The upper quartile is the value that is between the middle value and the greatest value
in the data set.
• So, the upper quartile is 15.
Since the second quartile is equal to the median, the steps in the computation of
median by identifying the median class is the same as the steps in identifying the 𝑄1 class
and the 𝑄3 class.
Example 2.
Mendenhall and Sincich Method. Using Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences,
define a different method of finding quartile values. To apply their method on a data set with n
elements, first calculate:
𝑘
Position of 𝑄𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)
4
where 𝑄𝑘 = position of 𝑘 𝑡ℎ quartile
𝑘 = nth quartile, where n = 1, 2, and 3
𝑛 = number of elements in the given data set
𝟏
Lower Quartile (L) = Position of 𝑸𝟏 = (𝒏 + 𝟏)
𝟒
and round to the nearest integer. If L falls halfway between two integers, round up.
The Lth element is the lower quartile value (𝑄1 ).
Next calculate:
𝟑
Upper Quartile (U) = Position of 𝑸𝟑 = (𝒏 + 𝟏)
𝟒
and round to the nearest integer. If U falls halfway between two integers, round down.
The Uth element is the upper quartile value (𝑄3 ).

Let’s have the given data set as an example: {1, 4, 8, 8, 17, 22, 28, 31, 32} and n = 9.
𝟏
To find 𝑄1 , locate its position using the formula 𝟒 (𝒏 + 𝟏) and round off to the nearest
integer.
1
Position of 𝑄1 = (𝑛 + 1)
4
1
= 4 (9 + 1)
1
= (10)
4
= 2.5
The computed value 2.5 becomes 3 after rounding up. The lower quartile value (𝑄1 ) is the 3rd
element, so 𝑄1 = 8. Similarly:
3
Position of 𝑄3 = (𝑛 + 1)
4
3
= 4 (9 + 1)
3
= 4 (10)
= 7.5
The computed value 7.5 becomes 7 after rounding down. The upper quartile
value (𝑄3 ) is the 7th data element, so 𝑸𝟑 = 28.

2
 Using this method, the upper quartile (𝑄3 ) and the lower quartile (𝑄1 ) values are
always two of the data elements.
The Deciles for Ungrouped Data
The deciles are the nine score points which divide a distribution into ten equal parts.
Deciles are denoted as 𝑫𝟏 , 𝑫𝟐 , 𝑫𝟑 ,… 𝑫𝟗 . They are computed in the same way that the
quartiles are calculated.
𝑘
Position of 𝐷𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)
10
where 𝐷𝑘 = position of 𝑘 𝑡ℎ decile
𝑘 = nth decile, where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
𝑛 = number of elements in the given data set

Example: Find the 4th decile (𝐷4 ) of the following test scores of a random sample
of 12 students: 36, 43, 41, 29, 28, 31, 16, 24, 34, 21, 19, 20.
Solution:
Steps to find decile value on a data with n elements:
First, arrange the scores in ascending order: 16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 41, 43
𝟒
To find 𝐷4, locate its position using the formula
𝟏𝟎
(𝒏 + 𝟏) and round off to the nearest
integer.
4
Position of 𝐷4 = (𝑛 + 1)
10
4
= 10 (12 + 1)
4
= (13) 𝐷4 is the 5th element
10
= 5.2 ≈ 5 Therefore, 𝑫𝟒 = 24
The Percentile for Ungrouped Data
The percentiles are the ninety-nine score points which divide a distribution into one
hundred equal parts, so that each part represents the data set.
𝑘
Position of 𝑃𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)
100
where 𝑃𝑘 = position of 𝑘 𝑡ℎ percentile
𝑘 = nth percentile, where n = 1, 2, 3,…,97, 98, and 99
𝑛 = number of elements in the given data set

Example: Find the 75th percentile (𝑃75 ) of the following test scores of a random sample of
10 students: 36, 43, 41, 29, 28, 31, 16, 24, 34, 21.
Solution:
Steps to find percentile value on a data with n elements:
First, arrange the scores in ascending order: 16, 21, 24, 28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 41, 43.
𝟕𝟓
To find 𝑃75 , locate its position using the formula 𝟏𝟎𝟎
(𝒏 + 𝟏) and round off to the nearest
nearest integer.
75
Position of 𝑃75 = (𝑛 + 1) 𝑃75 is the 8th element
100
75
= 100 (10 + 1) Therefore, 𝑷𝟕𝟓 = 36
= 8.25 ≈ 8

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LESSON 2: MEASURES OF POSITION FOR GROUPED DATA

The Quartile for Grouped Data

In computing for the value of 𝑄1 and 𝑄3 , you need to determine first the 𝑄1 and 𝑄3
𝑁
class. The 𝑄1 class is the class interval where the ( 4 )th score is contained, while the class
3𝑁
interval that contains the ( 4 )th score is the 𝑄3 class.
In computing the quartiles of grouped data, the following formula is used:
𝒌𝑵
− 𝒄𝒇𝒃
𝑸𝒌 = 𝑳𝑩 + ( 𝟒 )𝒊
𝒇𝑸 𝒌

where: 𝑳𝑩 = lower boundary of the 𝑄𝑘 class

𝑵 = total frequency
𝒄𝒇𝒃 = cumulative frequency of the class before the 𝑄𝑘 class
𝒇𝑸𝒌 = frequency of the 𝑄𝑘 class
i = size of class interval
𝒌 = nth quartile, where n = 1, 2, and 3

Example: Calculate the 𝑄1 and 𝑄3 of the Mathematics test scores of 50 students

TABLE 1

Scores Frequency
46 – 50 3
41 – 45 9
36 - 40 12
31 - 35 8
26 - 30 11
21 - 25 7

Solution:

Class Frequency Lower Less Than

Interval (f) Boundaries Cumulative
Scores (LB) Frequency (< 𝒄𝒇)
46 – 50 3 45.5 50

41 – 45 9 40.5 47
36 - 40 12 35.5 38 (27th - 38th score) Q3 class
31 - 35 8 30.5 26 (19th - 26th score) Q2 class
26 - 30 11 25.5 18
(8th - 18th score) Q1 class
21 - 25 7 20.5 7
N = 50

4
 N 50
Q1 class: = 𝐿𝐵 = 25.5 𝑐𝑓𝑏 = 7
4 4
= 12.5 𝑁 = 50 𝑓𝑄1 = 11
This means we need to find the class i =5
𝑘𝑁
interval where the 12.5th score is contained. − 𝑐𝑓𝑏
Note that the 8th – 18th scores belong 𝑄1 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( 4 )𝑖
𝑓𝑄 1
to the class interval: 26 – 30. So, the 12.5th
12.5 − 7
score is also within the class interval. 𝑄1 = 25.5 + ( )5
The 𝑄1 class is within the class 11
𝑄1 = 28
interval 26 – 30.

3N 150 𝐿𝐵 = 35.5 𝑐𝑓𝑏 = 26

Q 3 class: =
4 4 𝑁 = 50 𝑓𝑄3 = 12
i =5
= 37.5
This means we need to find the class 𝑘𝑁
− 𝑐𝑓𝑏
interval where the 37.5th score is contained. 𝑄3 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( 4 )𝑖
Note that the 27thth – 38th scores 𝑓𝑄 3
belong to the class interval: 36 – 40. So, the 37.5 − 26
37.5th score is also within the class interval. 𝑄3 = 35.5 + ( )5
12
The 𝑄3 class is within the class 𝑄3 = 40.29
interval 36 – 40.

The Deciles for Grouped Data

Deciles are those values that divides the total frequency into 10 equal parts.
In computing the quartiles of grouped data, the following formula is used:
𝒌𝑵
− 𝒄𝒇𝒃
𝑫𝒌 = 𝑳𝑩 + ( 𝟏𝟎 )𝒊
𝒇𝑫 𝒌

where: 𝑳𝑩 = lower boundary of the 𝐷𝑘 class

𝑵 = total frequency
𝒄𝒇𝒃 = cumulative frequency of the class before the 𝐷𝑘 class
𝒇𝑫𝒌 = frequency of the 𝐷𝑘 class
i = size of class interval
𝒌 = nth quartile, where n = 1, 2, and 3
Example: Calculate the 7th decile of the Mathematics test scores of 50 students
(refer to TABLE 1 on page 4)
Solution:
Class Interval Frequency Lower Boundaries Less Than Cumulative
Scores (f) (LB) Frequency (< 𝒄𝒇)
46 – 50 3 45.5 50
41 – 45 9 40.5 47
36 - 40 12 35.5 38 (27th - 38th score)
D7 class
31 - 35 8 30.5 26
26 - 30 11 25.5 18
21 - 25 7 20.5 7

N=50

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 𝐿𝐵 = 35.5 𝑐𝑓𝑏 = 26
7N 350
D7 class: 10
= 10
𝑁 = 50 𝑓𝑄1 = 12
= 35 i =5
𝑘𝑁
This means we need to find the class − 𝑐𝑓𝑏
interval where the 35th score is contained. 𝐷7 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( 10 )𝑖
𝑓𝐷 7
Note that the 27th – 38th scores belong
to the class interval: 36 – 40. So, the 35th 35 − 26
𝐷7 = 35.5 + ( )5
score is also within the class interval. 12
The 𝐷7 class is within the class 𝐷7 = 39.25
interval 36 – 40.

The Percentile for Grouped Data

The percentile for grouped data is used to characterize values according to the
percentage below them.

Example: Calculate the 45th percentile of the Mathematics test scores of 50 students (refer
to TABLE 1 on page 4).
Solution:
Class Frequency Lower Less Than
Interval (f) Boundaries Cumulative
Scores (LB) Frequency (< 𝒄𝒇)
46 – 50 3 45.5 50

41 – 45 9 40.5 47

36 - 40 12 35.5 38
31 - 35 8 30.5 26 (19th - 26th score) P45 class
26 - 30 11 25.5 18

21 - 25 7 20.5 7
N = 50

45N 2250
P45 class: 100
= 100 𝐿𝐵 = 30.5 𝑐𝑓𝑏 = 18
= 22.5 𝑁 = 50 𝑓𝑃45 = 8
This means we need to find the class i =5
interval where the 22.5th score is contained.
𝑘𝑁
100 − 𝑐𝑓𝑏
Note that the 19th – 26th scores belong 𝑃45 = 𝐿𝐵 + ( )𝑖
𝑓𝑃 45
to the class interval: 31 – 35. So, the 22.5th
score is also within the class interval. 22.5 − 18
𝑃45 = 30.5 + ( )5
8
The 𝑃45 class is within the class
𝑃45 = 33.31
interval 31 – 35.

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PART II. Activities
Activity 1
A. Into the Garden
The owner of Jaztein’s Garden recorded the number of guests who came to visit
his garden each hour in a day. The results were 10, 7, 12, 9, 8, 20, 15, 17, 19, 15, and 10.
Find the lower quartile (𝑄1 ), 𝑄2, and upper quartile(𝑄3 ) of the data.
B. Decoding a Quote
The daily minimum temperature readings (in Celsius) in Pangasinan for 20 days are
given in the table below.

25 24 25 19 24 26 20 21 23 24

22 25 27 29 28 19 22 23 25 20
Given the data above, calculate the following quantiles in Column A and match their values in
Column B. Write the corresponding words on the spaces provided to decode the quote.
Column A Column B
1. Q1 24 - you must
2. Q3 20 - to stay
3. D8 27 - Life
4. D2 21 - riding a bicycle,
5. P55 23 - keep moving
6. P85 26 - is like
7. P40 25 - balanced
“________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________”. Albert Einstein
P85 D8 Q1 D2 Q3 P55 P40

Activity 2: The Beat

The pulse rates of 50 patients in a district hospital were taken and presented in the table
below:
Pulse Rate Frequency Lower Boundaries Less Than Cumulative
(f) (LB) Frequency (< 𝒄𝒇)
101-105 1 100.5 50
96-100 2 95.5 49
91-95 4 90.5 47
86-90 9 85.5 43
81-85 11 80.5 34
76-80 10 75.5 23
71-75 7 70.5 13
66-70 4 65.5 6
61-65 1 60.5 2
56-60 1 55.5 1

Calculate the following:

1. Q1 2. Q2 3. D6 4. P75 5. P25

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Answer Key

5. 75.14 4. 87.44 3. 83.68 2. 81.41 1. 75.14

Activity 2

P85 D8 Q1 D2 Q3 P55 P40

“Life is like riding a bicycle, to stay balanced you must keep moving”. Albert Einstein
Activity 1B

==

Q3 =17 Q2 = 12 Q1= 9

Activity 1A

PART III. Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your solution on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is the same as the median score?
M. 2nd quartile T. 25th percentile
A. 6th decile H. 75th percentile
2. What do you call the ninety-nine score points which divide a distribution into one hundred
equal parts?
M. decile T. percentile
A. median H. quartile
3. The set of scores: 15, 14, 12, 10, 9, 11, 17, 15, and 19, find the median score.
M. 9 T. 11
A. 10 H. 14

The scores of Miss San Quintin candidates from seven judges were recorded as follows:
8.12, 9.10, 8.42, 9.14, 8.75, 9.17, and 8. 37

8.12, 9.10, 8.42, 9.14, 8.75, 9.17, and 8. 37

For numbers 4 – 6, refer to the given data above.
4. Find the 50th percentile or P50 of the judges’ scores.
M. 9.14 A. 8.75 T. 8.42 H. 8.12
5. What is the P30 of the judges’ scores?
M. 9.10 A. 8.75 T. 8.42 H. 8.37
6. Determine the 70th percentile of the judges’ scores.
M. 9.14 A. 9.10 T. 8.42 H. 8.12

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7. Calculate P40 of the judges’ scores.
M. 8.12 A. 8.42 T. 8.75 H. 9.10
The weights of the students in a class are the following: 69, 70, 75, 66, 83, 88, 66, 63, 61,
68, 73, 57, 52, 58, and 57.

8. Find the value of D8 of the students’ weights.

M. 57 A. 66 T. 75 H. 83
9. Calculate the value of D4 of the students’ weights.
M. 88 A. 75 T. 63 H. 52
10. What is the Q2 of the students’ weights?
M. 63 A. 66 T. 70 H. 88
For numbers 11-15, refer to the given table.
Distance (km)
Less Than Cumulative
Travelled from Home Frequency (f) Lower boundaries
Frequency (< 𝑐𝑓)
to School of Students
18-20 1 17.5 40
15-17 2 14.5 39
12-14 3 11.5 37
9-11 5 8.5 34
6-8 8 5.5 29
3-5 17 2.5 21
0-2 4 0.5 4
11. What is the lower boundary in solving for the 45th percentile of the distance travelled from
home to school of the students?
M. 2.5 A. 5.5 T. 8.5 H. 11.5
12. What is the 45th percentile of the distance travelled from home to school of the students?
M. 4.79 A. 4.97 T. 7.94 H. 9.47
th
13. What cumulative frequency should be used in solving for the 7 decile?
M. 34 A. 29 T. 21 H. 4
14. Find the value of D7.
M.8.13 A. 7.13 T. 3.18 H. 1.38
15. What is the value of Q1?
M. 2.63 A. 3.56 T. 5.36 H. 6.35

References:

Callanta, Canonigo, et. al. (2015). Mathematics 10 Learner’s Module. Quezon City,
Philippines. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Deauna, Lamayo-Deauna (2005). Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics. Quezon

City, Philippines. SIBS Publishing House, Inc.

https://www.mathisfun.com/median.html