Statistical Measures: Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
Mean is simply the average you're already familiar with. Add all your numbers together, then divide by how many numbers you have. For example, with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: add them up (15), then divide by 5 numbers = 3.
The median is the middle value when you arrange your data in order from smallest to largest. With 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 arranged in order, the middle number is 3. Think of it as the "midpoint" that splits your data in half.
Mode is the number that appears most frequently in your dataset. In 5, 1, 3, 4, 2, 1, the number 1 appears twice whilst others appear once, so 1 is your mode. Some datasets might have no mode or multiple modes.
Finally, range shows how spread out your data is by finding the difference between your largest and smallest values. With 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, you subtract 1 from 5 to get a range of 4.
Quick tip: Remember "Mean = Average, Median = Middle, Mode = Most common, Range = how far apart" to keep these straight during exams!