Median and Mode in a Distribution

 

Median is the middle value for results arranged by order of magnitude, with half above and half below. If there are 2 competing values then the median is the arithmetic mean of the 2 values.

 

Mode is the most frequent (most common) value in a set of results.

 

For a symmetrical distribution the values of mean, median and mode are identical.

 

For a distribution skewed to the left or right of the mean:

 

(mean) - (mode) =

= 3 * ((mean) - (median))

 

mean =

= (1.5 * (median)) - (0.5 * (mode))

 

If skewed to the left the mode and median will be less than the mean with the mode the lowest number.

 

If skewed to the right the mode and median will be greater than the mean with the mode the highest number.