10

Mathematics
Quarter 4 - Module 1:
Measures of Position
Mathematics - Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 - Module 1: Measures of Position
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.)
included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been
exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright
owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

OIC-Schools Division Superintendent: Carleen S. Sedilla CESE
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent and OIC-Chief, CID: Jay F. Macasieb DEM, CESE

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Jhuneliza M. Delavin

Editor: Shan Ivy Apple S. Fabros

Reviewer: Michael R. Lee

Layout: Ma. Fatima D. Delfin and Michiko Remyflor V. Trangia

Management Team: Neil Vincent C. Sandoval

Education Program Supervisor, LRMS

Michael R. Lee
Education Program Supervisor, Mathematics

Printed in the Philippines by the Schools Division Office of Makati City through the
support of the City Government of Makati (Local School Board)

Department of Education - Schools Division Office of Makati City

Office Address: Gov. Noble St., Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo

City of Makati, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines 1212
Telefax: (632) 882 5861 / 882 5862
E-mail Address: makati.city@deped.gov.ph
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concept of Measures of Position. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

The module focuses on:

 Lesson 1 - Measures of Position: Quartiles, Deciles, and Percentiles

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrates the following measures of position: quartiles, deciles, and
percentiles.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. When a distribution is divided into four equal parts, each score point that divides
the distribution is called _____________.
A. decile C. quartile
B. percentile D. quantile

2. When a distribution is divided into ten equal parts, each score point that divides
the distribution is called a _____________.
A. decile C. quartile
B. percentile D. quantile

3. Which of the following is equal to the median score?

A. 1st Quartile C. 5th Decile
B. 3rd Quartile D. 75th Percentile

4. Which of the following is equal to the lower quartile?

A. 50th Percentile C. 2nd Decile
B. 25th Percentile D. 3rd Quartile

5. Julia’s score in a 25-item test was the median score. What is her percentile rank?
A. 35th C. 25th
B. 50th D. 75th

3
 Lesson

1 Measures of Position

Did you know?

 One of the requirements to avail the Undergraduate Scholarship Program of The

Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is
that a student must be a member of the top five percent (5%) of the Non-STEM
strand senior high school graduating class; or a member of the STEM strand senior
high school graduating class (December 2020, http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/).
 To be admitted to the UP Systems’ baccalaureate programs, a student needs to be
one of the top 15% of the total number of examinees in the UPCAT that only allows
one chance for an applicant to take the exams. (October 2019,
www.goodnewspilipinas.com)

The top five percent (5%) of the Non-STEM strand senior high school graduating class
and top 15% of the total number of examinees in the UPCAT are examples of positions.
Measures of position determine where a certain data point or value falls in
a sample or distribution.

What’s In

Do you still remember the Measures of Central Tendency?

A measure of central tendency is the center point that represents the data set. These
are Mean (𝒙
̅), Median (𝒙
̃), and Mode (𝒙
̂).

 Mean (𝒙
̅) is also known as the computed average. It is the sum of all items in a
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠 Σ𝑥
set of data divided by the number of items. 𝑥̅ = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑛
 Median (𝒙 ̃) is the value that falls in the middle when all data are arranged in
order.
 Mode (𝒙̂) is the most occurring data.

4
 What’s New

Measures of Position are techniques used to divide the data into equal-sized
subgroups. The data must be arranged in ascending order to compute the measures of
position. The values or data points that divide the dataset equally are called quantiles
(sometimes called fractile). The common quantiles are quartiles, deciles, and
percentiles.
Quartiles for Ungrouped Data
There are three quartiles that divide a dataset into 4 equal parts. The lower
quartile denoted by Q1, the middle quartile (also known as median) denoted by Q2, and
the upper quartile denoted by Q3.
Observe this illustration:
Smallest Largest
value 25% 25% 25% 25% value
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄3
1st Quartile 2nd Quartile 3rd Quartile
Lower Quartile Middle Quartile Upper Quartile
Median

The illustration shows that:

 25% of the data has a value ≤ 𝑄1
 50% of the data has a value ≤ 𝑄2
 75% of the data has a value ≤ 𝑄3

Example 1: The scores of 11 students in a 2nd quarter 20-item preliminary test are as
follows: 2, 11, 9, 5, 6, 15, 18, 4, 12, 18, 4. Find the lower quartile (Q1 ), middle
quartile (Q2 ), upper quartile (Q3 ), and the interquartile range.

Solution:
Arrange the scores in ascending order; 2, 4, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 18
Lower Quartile (𝑸𝟏 ) Middle Quartile (𝑸𝟐 ) Upper Quartile (𝑸𝟑 )
1 1 3
𝑄1 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑄2 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑄3 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
4 2 4
Let 𝑛 = 11 Let 𝑛 = 11 Let 𝑛 = 11
𝑄1 = 0.25(11 + 1) 𝑄2 = 0.5(11 + 1) 𝑄3 = 0.75(11 + 1)
= 0.25(12) = 0.5(12) = 0.75(12)
= 3rd 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 = 6th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 = 9th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
𝑄1 = 4 𝑄2 = 9 𝑄3 = 15

2 4 4 5 6 9 11 12 15 18 18
Interquartile Range
3rd 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎, 6th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎, 9th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎, IQR = Q3 − Q1
Lower Middle Upper = 15 – 4
Quartile Quartile Quartile IQR = 11

There are different methods for finding the quartiles that lead to different values.

5
Let us compare the result using:
 Mendenhall and Zincic, and
 Linear Interpolation.

Quartiles for Ungrouped Data by Mendenhall and Sincich

Mendenhall and Sincich suggest another way of finding the quartile values. In a data
set with 𝑛 observations, round up when the lower quartile position falls halfway between
two integers. Round down when the upper quartile position falls halfway between two
integers.
Example 2: The grades of 5 groups in a weekly activity are as follows: 96, 95, 93, 92,
90. Determine the lower quartile (Q1 ) and upper quartile (Q3 ).

Solution: Arrange the scores in ascending order; 90, 92, 93, 95, 96

Lower Quartile (𝑸𝟏 ) Upper Quartile (𝑸𝟑 )

Middle
1 3
Quartile
𝑄1 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑄3 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
4 4

Let 𝑛 = 5 Let 𝑛 = 5
𝑄1 = 0.25(5 + 1) 𝑄3 = 0.75(5 + 1) 90 92 93 95 96
= 0.25(6) = 0.75(6)
= 1.5 (round up) = 4.5 (round down)
2nd 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎, 4th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎,
= 2nd 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 = 4th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 Lower Upper
𝑄1 = 92 𝑄3 = 95 Quartile Quartile

Quartiles for Ungrouped Data using Linear Interpolation

Example 3: The grades of 5 groups in a weekly activity are as follows:
97, 95, 93, 92, 90. Determine the lower quartile (Q1 ), and upper quartile (Q3 ).

Solution: Arrange the scores in ascending order; 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, where 𝑛 = 5
Lower Quartile (𝑸𝟏 ) Upper Quartile (𝑸𝟑 )
𝑄1 = 0.25(5 + 1) = 0.25(6) 𝑄3 = 0.75(5 + 1) = 0.75(6)
= 1.5th data = 4.5th data
 Since 1.5 data is between 1 and 2
th st nd  Since 4.5th data is between 4th and
data, subtract 1st data from 2nd data: 5th data, subtract 4th data from 5th
92 – 90 = 2 data: 96 – 95 = 1
 Multiply the difference by the decimal  Multiply the difference by the
part obtained in 𝑄1 . decimal part obtained in 𝑄3 .
2 (0.5) 1 (0.5)

92 - 90 Decimal part of 1.5 (𝑄1 ) 96 - 95 Decimal part of 4.5 (𝑄3)

 Add the result to the smaller data.  Add the result to the smaller data.
(1.5th data is between 1st and 2nd data (4.5th data is between 4th and 5th
where 1st data is smaller than 2nd data) data where 4th data is smaller than
5th data)
1 + 90 0.5 + 95
2 (0.5) 1st data 1 (0.5) 4th data
Therefore, 𝑸𝟏 = 𝟗𝟏 Therefore, 𝑸𝟑 = 𝟗𝟓. 𝟓

6
Deciles and Percentiles for Ungrouped Data
 There are 9 Deciles that divide a dataset into 10 equal parts, and these are
denoted by D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, while,
 There are 99 Percentiles that divide a dataset into 100 equal parts, and these are
denoted by P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, …, P99.
Observe this illustration:
Smallest Largest
value 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% value

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9
P10 P20 P30 P40 P50 P60 P70 P80 P90
z
The illustration shows that:
 D1 = P10, 10% of the data has a value ≤ D1 or P10 ,
 D2 = P20, 20% of the data has a value ≤ D2 or P20 ,
 D3 = P30, 30% of the data has a value ≤ D3 or P30 , and so on.

Example 4: The figure at the right shows that Charles

Charles is the 3rd tallest person in the
group, which means Charles is at the
80th percentile.

Notice that using the formula for

ungrouped data,
𝑘
𝑃𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 ,
100
80
𝑃80 = 100 (14 + 1), 80th percentile is the 12th person in the group, and that 12 th person in
the group is Charles.

Example 5: Following are number of defective items produced in a month by a machine

for the last 15months. 43, 28, 32, 14, 23, 35, 44, 30, 16, 30, 15, 23, 18, 21, 27.
Find D5, P50, P25, P75.
Solution: Arrange the scores in ascending order.
14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 23, 27, 28, 30, 30, 32, 35, 43, 44.

What is It

𝑘 𝑘
𝐷𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
10 100
where: 𝑘 = 5, 𝑛 = 15 where: 𝑘 = 50, 𝑛 = 15
5 50
𝐷5 = 10 (15 + 1) = 0.5(16) 𝑃50 = 100 (15 + 1) = 0.5(16)
= 8th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 = 8th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
𝑫𝟓 = 27 𝑷𝟓𝟎 = 27

7
 25 𝑘
𝑃25 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑃𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
100 100
where: where:
𝑘 = 25, 𝑛 = 15 𝑘 = 75, 𝑛 = 15
25 75
𝑃25 = (15 + 1) 𝑃75 = (15 + 1)
100 100
= 0.25(16) = 0.75(16)

= 4th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 = 12th 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎

𝑃25 = 18 𝑷𝟕𝟓 = 32

Notice that:
2 5 50
𝑄2 = 4 (𝑛 + 1) , 𝐷5 = 10 (𝑛 + 1), 𝑃50 = 100 (𝑛 + 1) yields to
1 1 1
𝑄2 = 2 (𝑛 + 1) , 𝐷5 = 2 (𝑛 + 1), 𝑃50 = 2 (𝑛 + 1).
Therefore, 𝑄2 = 𝐷5 = 𝑃50 = Median. Also,
𝑄1 = 𝑃25 = Lower Quartile, and 𝑄3 = 𝑃75 = Upper Quartile

Example 6: The scores of 20 students in a 20-item math quiz are 12, 8, 20, 6, 15, 18,
13, 8, 16, 17, 13, 15, 18, 20, 19, 16, 13, 11, 10, 18. Find 𝐷3 , 𝑃65 .

Solution: Arrange the scores in ascending order.

6, 8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18, 18, 18, 19, 20, 20

65
𝑘 𝑃65 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
𝐷𝑘 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 100
10 where: 𝑘 = 65, 𝑛 = 20
where: 𝑘 = 3, 𝑛 = 20
3
𝐷3 = 10 (20 + 1) 65
𝑃65 = 100 (20 + 1)
= 0.3(21) = 0.65(21)
= 6.3 ≈ 6th data = 13.65 ≈ 14th data
𝑫𝟑 = 12 𝑃65 = 17

What’s More

Have you tried comparing your Math 10 Summative Test to your

Science 10 Summative Test?

These scores cannot be compared directly since the tests may not
have the same number of questions, they may have different level
of difficulties, and so on.

However, you might want to know if your score lies above or

below the mean in both subjects; or how is your score compared
to the scores of the others.

A standard score or z score tells the position of a raw score in terms of its distance
from the mean, when measured in standard deviation units.

8
  If a z score is equal to 0, then the score is the same as the mean,
 If a z score is positive, then the score is higher than the mean, and
 If a z score is negative, then the score is lower than the mean.

A standard score or z score is obtained by subtracting the 𝑋 − 𝑋̅

mean from the value and dividing the result by the standard 𝑧=
𝑠
deviation.
Example: Jun scored 48 on a math summative test that had a mean of 40 and a
standard deviation of 8, while he scored 50 on a Science Summative Test that had a
mean of 48 and a standard deviation of 10. Compare his relative positions on the two
tests.

Solution:
z score on Math Summative z score on Science Summative
Test: Test:
𝑋− 𝑋̅ 48− 40 𝑋− 𝑋̅ 50− 48
𝑧= 𝑠
= 8
=1 𝑧= 𝑠
= 10
= 0.2

Since the z score on Math Summative Test is larger, his relative position in Math Test is
higher than his relative position in Science Test.

What I Have Learned

•divides the set of data •divides the set of data •divides the set of data
into 4 equal parts. into 10 equal parts. into 100 equal parts.
•Ungrouped Data: 𝑄𝑘 = •Ungrouped Data: 𝐷𝑘 = •Ungrouped Data: 𝑃𝑘 =
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎
4 10 100

The Quartiles of a data set divide the set of data into 4 equal parts.
 The Lower Quartile (𝑄1 ) is the middle value that falls between the smallest value
of the dataset and the median (𝑄2 ),
 the Middle Quartile (𝑄2 ) is also known as median,
 the Upper Quartile (𝑄3 ) is the middle value that falls between the median (𝑄2 )
and the largest value of the dataset.

The Interquartile Range (IQR) is equal to the difference between the upper and lower
quartiles, IQR = Q3 − Q1 .

The Deciles of a data set divide the set of data into 10 equal parts.

The Percentiles of a data set divide the set of data into 100 equal parts.

A standard score or z score tells the position of a raw score in terms of its distance
from the mean, when measured in standard deviation units .

9
 What I Can Do
Solve the following:
1. Eliz scored 42 in an English test where the class mean and standard deviation were
45 and 8, respectively. She also scored 33 on a Science test where the class mean
and standard deviation were 30 and 3, respectively. In which class was her relative
position higher?
2. The number of word problems answered by a student seven days a week are 1, 2,
5, 5, 6, 4, 1. Find the following:
a. lower quartile (Q1 ) c. upper quartile (Q3 )
b. middle quartile (Q2 ) d. interquartile range
3. The scores of 20 students in a 20-item math quiz are 12, 8, 20, 6, 15, 18, 13, 8,
16, 17, 13, 15, 18, 20, 19, 16, 13, 11, 10, 18. Find:
a. 𝐷7 b. 𝑃90

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. In the data set: 8, 11, 14, 15, x, 19, 21, 27, 28. If the second quartile of the data
set is x, which of the following could NOT be a value of x?
A. 15 C. 19
B. 17 D. 21
2. In a 50-item quarterly test, Ian got a score of 40 which is the third quartile. What
does it imply?
A. Ian got the highest score.
B. His score is higher than 25% of his classmates.
C. 75% of students scored 40 points or fewer than Ian.
D. Seventy-five percent of the class did not pass the test.
3. A set of four numbers that begins with the number 10 is arranged from smallest
to largest. If the median is 22, which of the following could possibly be the set of
numbers?
A. 10, 15, 20, 25 C. 10, 16, 28, 33
B. 10, 14, 18, 22 D. 10, 20, 30, 40
4. In a 50-item examination, the passing mark is the 8th decile. Which of the
following is true?
A. A student should answer at least 8 questions correctly to pass.
B. A student should answer 40 questions correctly to pass.
C. A student should aim to get a score which is greater than or equal to 8%
of the number of examinees to pass.
D. A student should aim to get a score which is greater than or equal to 80%
of the number of examinees to pass.

5. Scores on a math test have an average of 42 with standard deviation of 3. What

is the z-score for a student who earned a 39 on the test?
A. -1 C. 0.6
B. -0.6 D. 1

10