Three frequently used statistical measures of central tendency are the mean, median, and mode. They are used to summarize and describe features of a collection of data.
The sum of all the values in a data set divided by the total number of values gets the mean, also known as the arithmetic mean or average. It serves as a measure of the data's central tendency and is frequently used to describe the overall pattern or trend in the data.
When values are arranged in numerical order, the median is the middle value in the data set. It serves as a measure of the data's central tendency and is quite often used to describe the middle value or "typical" value in the data set.
The value that occurs most frequently in a data set is the mode. It is a measurement of the data's central tendency and is often utilized to characterize the most common values in the data set.
It is important to remember that for a particular set of data, the means, medians, and modes are not always the same. For instance, a data set with a skewed distribution, (like one with a long tail on one side), may have a mean that is not typical of the vast majority of the values in the data set. In such instances, the median or mode may be a more useful indicator of central tendency.
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