CHAPTER 3 – MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

CHAPTER THREE:
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

3.0 LESSON LEARNING OUTCOME

By the end of this topic, students will be able to:

1. Define centrally tendency measurement.

2. Calculate the measurement of central tendency for ungrouped.
3. Calculate the measurement of central tendency for grouped data.
4. Explain the relationship among mean, median and mode.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

➢ is usually called the average

➢ is a single value situated at the centre of data and can be taken a summary value
for that data set
➢ these statistics are powerful because they can reduce huge arrays of data to a
single, easily understood number
➢ Commonly used central of tendency measurement is mean, median, and mode.

A. MEAN

➢ also called arithmetic mean, is the most frequently used measure of central
tendency
➢ is computed by taking the sum of all data value and the dividing it by number of
data
➢ it is the average of a group of data

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➢ mean is calculated by summing up all the observation in the data set and then
dividing it by the number of data
➢ mean value can be calculated for:
❖ Ungroup data – this is scattered data from research or study. Mean can be
calculated by summing up the whole data before being divided to its
frequency
❖ Group data – this is simplified data set that is expressed as frequency
distribution table

Advantages and Disadvantages of using mean as a measurement of central tendency

Advantages Disadvantages
• It is the most frequently-used • Mean values are not accurate and
information not appropriate for data with
• It is simple to calculate and is extreme value
accurate
• Considers the whole data set

B. MEDIAN

➢ is the value of the middle term in a data set that has been ranked in increasing
order
Advantages and Disadvantages of using median as a measurement of central tendency
Advantages Disadvantages
• Straight forward and • the accuracy of median value is
uncomplicated affected by the number of data
• easier than using mean given
• The magnitude of extreme value • median cannot be determined for
does not significantly affect the non quantitative data
median
• the calculation of median will not
be affected if the largest or
smallest data value is not stated

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C. MODE

➢ is the value that occurs with the highest frequency in a data set

Advantages and Disadvantages of using mode as a measurement of central tendency

Advantages
• easy to understand
• mode value is not affected by the
extreme data
• to find mode is much easier than
to determine the mean
Disadvantages
• the accuracy of the mode value is
affected by the number of data
given
• mode value does not measure the
whole data

3.2 UNGROUPED DATA – mean, mode and median.

3.2.1 Mean – Ungroup Data

Where:
∑𝓍 = total data
𝑛 = the number of data

Example 1:
A sample of five executives received the following bonuses last year (in RM’000)
14, 15, 17, 16, 15
Find the mean bonus of the five executives

Solution:

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Example 2:
Below are data collected by a researcher on a particular study. Calculate the mean

80 45 40 75 85 45 50
80 60 60 40 50 65 80
60 40 60 70 80 60 50
64 45 75 80 75 50 45
40 60 65 70 60 45 50

Solution:

INCOME FREQUENCY 𝑓𝓍
80 5 400
45 5 225
40 4 160
60 7 420
50 5 250
65 3 195
70 2 140
75 3 225
85 1 85
TOTAL ∑ 35 ∑ 2100

= 2100
35
= 60

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3.2.2 Median - Ungrouped data

Where:
𝑛 = the number of data

Example 1:
Determine the median for the following data
11, 14, 3, 21, 17, 16, 19, 16, 5, 7, 19, 8, 9, 20, 4, 15

Solution:
Since 𝑛 is an odd number (𝑛 = 17) the median is the middle value of the data set.
Arrange the number in ascending number order

- in between location 8 and 9

Value of median

3 4 5 7 8 9 11 14 15 16 16 17 19 19 20 21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Since the number of data is even, we can determine the median by computing the
average of the two middle values, 14 and 15

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3.2.3 Mode - Ungrouped data

Example 1:
The quantities ordered (in million units) for the first 20 weeks for a certain product in
Kak Limah Company are given as follows

14.25 19.00 11.00 28.00 24.00 23.00 43.20 14.00

27.00 25.00 15.00 7.00 34.00 15.50 15.00 22.00
19.00 19.00 27.00 21.00

Find the mode order quantity

Solution:

The highest frequency = 3

The value of mode = 19.00

Or

Arrange the data in ascending order

7.00 19.00 27.00
11.00 19.00 28.00
14.00 21.00 34.00
14.25 22.00 43.20
15.00 23.00
15.00 24.00
15.50 25.00
19.00 27.00

After arranging the quantities in an array, we observe that 19.00 is the quantity that
occurs most frequently. Therefore the mode is 19.00 (million units)

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Another example for ungrouped data.

Determine mean, mode and median for the below data.

The data below shows the time taken in minutes for 24 trainees to complete assignment.

9.77 11.35 12.46 18.47 13.80 15.74 18.37 10.52

3.44 31.50 13.44 17.58 15.55 17.89 28.16 25.14
33.33 32.13 40.10 9.78 9.99 10.13 10.52 11.75

Solutions:
i. MEAN

= 9.77+9.77+ 11.35 +12.46+18.47 +13.80 +15.74+18.37+10.52+3.44+ 31.50+ 13.44+

17.58+15.55+ 17.89+ 28.16+ 25.14+33.33+ 32.13+ 40.10+ 9.78+ 9.99+ 10.13+
10.52+11.75

24
= 17.5379 @ 17.54

ii. MEDIAN

Places of median

= 24+1
2
= 12.5

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Then, rearrange the number by ascending order

3.44 9.77 9.78 9.99 10.13 10.52 10.52 11.35 11.75 12.46 13.44 13.80 15.55
15.74 17.58 17.89 18.37 18.47 25.14 28.16 31.5 32.13 33.33 40.10

Find a location of median that u calculate = 12.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3.44 9.77 9.78 9.99 10.13 10.52 10.52 11.35
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
11.75 12.46 13.44 13.80 15.55 15.74 17.58 17.89
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
18.37 18.47 25.14 28.16 31.5 32.13 33.33 40.10

The places of 12.5 is between number 12 and 13, that is 18.47 and 13.80
So, you need to plus the number then divide by two

= 13.80+15.55
2
= 14.675

iii. MODE

= the highest frequency occurance.

From the data the high frequency is 2. So, the value of mode is 10.52

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3.3 GROUPED DATA - mean, mode and median.

i. MEAN – grouped data

Where:
𝒇 = frequency
𝒙 = midpoint

Example 1:
The table below shows the years of working experience for 120 employees of Jimmy’s
Company

Year of experience Number of Employees

1–4 16
5–8 20
9 – 12 28
13 -16 24
17 – 20 16
21 – 24 11
25 – 28 5
Total 120
Calculate the mean and explain its meaning in the context of the example

Solution:

Year of Experience Number of

Mid-Point (𝓍) 𝑓𝓍
(data interval) employees (𝑓)
1–4 16 2.5 40
5–8 20 6.5 130
9 – 12 28 10.5 294
13 -16 24 14.5 348
17 – 20 16 18.5 296
21 – 24 11 22.5 247.5
25 – 28 5 26.5 132.5
Total 120 ∑𝑓𝓍 = 1488

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This means that on average, the employees in Jimmy’s Company have 12.4 years of
working experiences

ii. MEDIAN - Grouped data

Where:
LM = lower boundary of median class
F=𝑛 = population size /frequency
(∑𝒇𝒎-1)= accumulated frequency of the class precedes the median class
𝑓𝑚 = frequency of the median class
𝑐 = median class size

Example 1:
The table below shows the years of working experience for 120 employees of Jimmy’s
Company

Year of experience Number of Employees

1–4 16
5–8 20
9 – 12 28
13 -16 24
17 – 20 16
21 – 24 11
25 – 28 5
Total 120
Calculate the median of employee’s years of working experience

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Solution:

Number of Cumulative Position of data

Year of experience
Employees (f) Frequency (cf) (COP)
1–4 16 16 1 – 16
5–8 20 36 17 – 36

37,38,39…. Until
9 – 12 28 64 60,61,62,63,64

13 -16 24 88 65 – 88
17 – 20 16 104 89 – 104
21 – 24 11 115 105 – 115
25 – 28 5 120 116 - 120
Total 120

i.

Lm = 9-0.5 = 8.5
n/2 = 120/2 = 60
c = size class = 9-5 = 4

This means that 50% of the employees have working experiences of less than 11.9 years
and other 50% have working experience of more than 11.9 years

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 CHAPTER 3 – MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

Example 2:
Below are data collected in a study regarding the age of people who live in Kampung
LBJ

Age Frequency
0–4 2
5–9 4
10 – 14 5
15 – 19 3
20 – 24 3
25 - 29 1
Total 18

Calculate the median

Solution:

Age Frequency Accumulated Frequency

0–4 2 2
5–9 4 (d)**6
(b) ****10 – 14 (c)***5 11
15 – 19 3 14
20 – 24 3 17
25 - 29 1 18
Total 18

b) LM = 10 – 0.5 REMARKS
• * Place of median
= 9.5
• ** Accumulated frequency of the class
c) 𝑓𝑚 = 5 precedes the median class
d) =6 • *** Frequency of the median class
• **** lower boundary of median class
e) 𝒄 =9–4
=5

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iii. MODE - Grouped data

Where:
LB = lower boundary of mode class
Δ1 = Difference between the frequencies of the class precedes the mode class and the
frequency of the mode class itself (before)
Δ2 = Difference between the frequencies of the class precedes the mode class and the
frequency of the mode class itself (after)
𝑐 = class size

Example 1:
The table below shows the years of working experience for 120 employees of Jimmy’s
Company
Year of experience Number of Employees (F)
1–4 16
5–8 20
9 – 12 28 MODE
13 -16 24
17 – 20 16
21 – 24 11
25 – 28 5
Total 120
Compute the mode of employee’s years of working experience

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Solution:
a) Marks the mode class by indicating
the highest frequency = 28
b) LB = 9 – 0.5
= 8.5
c) Δ1 = 28 – 20
=8
d) Δ2 = 28 – 24
=4
e) 𝑐 = 12 – 9+1 @ 9-5 =4
=4

Example 2:
Class Frequency
1.0 – 1.4 1
1.5 – 1.9 7
2.0 – 2.4 8
2.5 – 2.9 6
3.0 – 3.4 4
3.5 – 3.9 18
4.0 – 4.4 7
4.5 – 4.9 11
5.0 – 5.4 9
Total 71

Compute the mode from the data above

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Solution:
a) Marks the mode class by indicating
the highest frequency = 18
b) LB = 3.5 – 0.05
= 3.45
c) Δ1 = 18 – 4
= 14
d) Δ2 = 18 – 7
= 11
e) 𝑐 = 3.4 – 3.0
=5

3.2.5 Relationship between Mean,

median and mode
➢ the relationship between mean,
median and mode is known as
empirical formula or relationship

If Mean  Median  Mode = Positive Divergence

If Mean  Median  Mode = Negative Divergence
If Mean = Median = Mode = Normal Divergence

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Exercise 1
a) What is the difference between mean, median, and mode in centrally inclined
measurement?
(4 marks)
b) There are a few boxes contained marbles. Below is the data collected about the
number of marbles in the boxes.

Number of Marbles Number of Boxes

60 – 69 6
70 – 79 8
80 -89 12
90 – 99 15
100 – 109 9
110 – 119 5

Calculate : Mean, Median and Mode

(21 marks)

Exercise 2
Weight of 200 fish balls produced by a machine is weighted to the nearest 0.01g. Below
is the data grouped by a researcher in a particular study.

Weight (g) Frequency

6.40-6.42 4
6.43-6.45 8
6.46-6.48 30
6.49-6.51 75
6.52-6.54 46
6.55-6.57 20
6.58-6.60 9
6.61-6.63 8

You are required to calculate:

a) Mean
(9 marks)
b) Mode
(7 marks)
c) Median
(3 marks)

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Exercise 3
Below is the data regarding the orders of Baju Melayu at Butik Permai during the
festive seasons.

Value of order Number of orders

10 AND BELOW 20 85
20 AND BELOW 30 120
30 AND BELOW 40 225
40 AND BELOW 50 135
50 AND BELOW 60 105
60 AND BELOW 70 30

Calculate:
a) Mean
b) Mode
c) Median
(25 marks)

Exercise 4
Below is the total investment amount invested by 40 students of private college in
Wawasan Trust Fund in year 2003.

INVESTMENT AMOUNT(RM) NUMBER OF STUDENTS

1-100 5
101-200 8
201-300 10
301-400 12
401-500 3
501-600 2

You are required to:

a) Calculate the mean of the investment.
(10 marks)
b) Calculate the median of the data.
(10 marks)
c) Find mode
(5 marks)

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Exercise 5
Below is the marks DBS student obtained for Statistics during July 2010 final
examination. The following is the frequency distribution table:

SCORES FREQUENCY
20 – 24 1
25 – 29 2
30 – 34 4
35 – 39 8
40 – 44 11
45 – 49 9
50 – 54 7
55 – 59 4
60 – 64 3
65 – 69 1

You are required to:

a) Mean, mode & median
(25 marks)

Exercise 6
a) The data shows the measurement of rainfall for 12 month in a certain period

4.21 8.62 1.42 3.82 5.03 6.14

1.78 4.79 8.91 5.21 3.71 5.11

Calculate mean, median and mode for the data above

b) The following table shows the productivity of the workers after training

ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES FREQUENCY

3.0 – 4.0 15
4.0 – 5.0 17
5.0 – 6.0 25
6.0 – 7.0 20
7.0 – 8.0 4
8.0 – 9.0 7

From the above data, you are required to calculate:

(i) Mean
(ii) Mode
(iii) Median (25 marks)

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Exercise 7
The management budget for the year 2007 for AZFA Limited is as following:

Administration Expenses Frequency

1009 – 1019 15
1020 – 1030 17
1031 – 1041 25
1042 – 1052 20
1053 – 1063 4
1064 – 1074 7
1075 – 1085 2

Calculate:
a) mean
b) mode
c) median
(25 marks)

Exercise 8
The following data indicates the number of durians that have been sold by the
wholeseller nearby Lawang Industrial Area:

The number of durians The number of wholeseller

1 – 10 3
11 – 20 5
21 – 30 7
31 – 40 19
41 – 50 15
51 – 60 13
61 – 70 3

Calculate:
a) mean
b) mode
c) median
(25 marks)

Exercise 9
The following are the charges of transportation service for the Malacca area:

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 CHAPTER 3 – MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

Charges 0.5 10.5 20.5 30.5 40.5 50.5 60.5

Frequency 10 2 3 9 19 7 5

Calculate:
Mean , mode and median

Exercise 10

The following are the charges (RM) of transportation service for the Malacca area
15 21 21 9 13 17 19
20 7 8 14 21 12 8

Calculate:
Mean , mode and median

(25 marks)

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