MODULE 2

MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

It is difficult for everybody to understand or remember a large set of facts. Therefore, one
would like to know certain values which will represent or summarise all these facts. After all,
the basic purpose of statistical analysis is to develop summary measures which can describe
the data adequately. On of the important summary measures in statistical analysis is
measures of central tendency or average.
An average or measures of central tendency is a single value computed from a given series of
data. It has the basic characteristics of the entire data. Its value lies in between the maximum
and minimum values of a series.
CHIEF FEATURES OF AN AVERAGE
1. It is a single feature which represents the whole series and sums up all the
characteristics of the data.
2. It is neither the lowest value nor the highest value. It lies some where in the middle of
the distribution.
3. Average is a part of the whole group.
IMPORTANT / USES / FUNCTIONS OF AVERAGE
1. Averages give a general idea about the whole group:
Averages provide a simple and systematic description of the principal features
of a data. Thus, they simplify the complexity of data. As a result of this data,
data can be easily understood.

2. Averages can be used for summarising the data:

Averages make it convenient to express the data in a number. This number also
reveals the salient features of the data. For example, if we find out average marks
obtained by a student for different subjects, that figure will reveal the efficiency of the
student in general.

3. Averages help comparison:

Averages can be used for comparing two sets of data. For example, a comparison of
average income of Indians and average income of Americans will reveal that
Americans are economically better than Indians.

4. Averages help in decision making:

Averages help much in the formulation of policies. For example if the average sales in
a shop is very poor, the shop owner has to formulate policies to increase the sales.

5. Averages constitute the basis of statistical analysis:

The basic purpose of statistical analysis is to develop summary measures which will
describe data adequately. Averages are used for this purpose.
6. Averages represent the universe:
Average is a summary of mass of facts. It possesses the characteristics of whole
group. So, it represents the whole data.
ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES (OR CHARACTERESTICS) OF A GOOD AVERAGE.
An average is regarded as a good average if it has the following properties:

(1) It should be clearly defined:

That is, the meaning of an average must be clear. If it is not clearly and precisely
defined there will be doubt and uncertainty.

(2) It should be based on all the observations of the data:

An average will be true representative of a series only if it takes into account all the
observations of that series.

(3) It should be easy to calculate and simple to follow:

An average should be easy to calculate and simple to follow. A good average should
be easily understood even by a person with ordinary intelligence. Then only it will
become popular.

(4) It should not be influenced by sampling fluctuations:

A good average should not be affected much by sampling fluctuations. The average of
the sample should not be significantly different from the average of the universe.

(5) It should be amenable to further algebraic treatment:

An average should be amenable to further algebraic treatment. That is, good average
should be suitable for further mathematical treatment. If an average is not capable of
further algebraic treatment, its purpose will be limited.

(6) It should not be affected by extreme items:

A good average should not be unduly influenced by abnormal values occurring rarely.

IMPORTANT MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

The important measures of central tendency are

(1) Arithmetic Mean
(2) Median
(3) Mode
(4) Geometric Mean
(5) Harmonic Mean

Of these, commonly used measures of central tendency are Arithmetic Mean, Median
and Mode. Arithmetic Mean, Geometric Mean, and Harmonic Mean are
mathematical averages while Median and mode are a positional average.
 (1) ARITHMETIC MEAN
Arithmetic mean is one of the measures of central tendency. It is a mathematical average.
It is a method of representing the whole data by one figure. It is a simple measure and
most widely used. Arithmetic mean is obtained by adding together all the values of a
variable and dividing it by the total number of items.

Arithmetic mean may be simple or weighted. Simple arithmetic mean is the mean of
items which are given equal importance. Weighted arithmetic mean is the mean of items
which are given different weights in accordance with their relative importance.

Computation of Simple arithmetic mean

Case 1: Arithmetic mean in Individual observation

Individual observation means individual series, where frequencies are not given. The
process of computing mean in this case is very simple. Arithmetic mean can be calculated
either by Direct method or by short cut method

(A) Direct method

Under this method, all the terms are added and then divided by the number of terms.
Symbolically, x̄ = x1 + x2 + x3……… xn
N

x̄ = ∑ X
N

Where, x1, x2, x3 ………xn are different values of the variable

N stands for the total number of items

∑(sigma) stands for sum of values

x̄ stands for arithmetic mean
The following steps are used:
1. Add together all the values of the variable X and obtain ∑ X
2. Count the number of values, N
3. Divide the total of the variable by the number of items. This is the Arithmetic Mean

Ex. 1: Calculate Arithmetic mean of the daily incomes of 5 families:

Rs. 10, 90, 85, 103, 11
Ans: Arithmetic mean (x̄) = ∑ X = 10 + 90 + 85 + 103 + 11 = 299 = 59.8
N 5 5
Ex. 2: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Roll no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Marks 30 40 50 60 70 80 50 70 90 50

Ans: Arithmetic mean (x̄) = ∑ X = 30 + 40 + 50 + 60 + 70 + 80 + 50 + 70 + 90 + 50

N 10
= 590 = 59
10
(B) Short cut method
Under this method, a value preferably from the middle is assumed to be the value of
arithmetic average. Then from the assumed average, the deviations of different items are
found out. The average of such deviations is then added to the assumed average. The resultant
figure comes out to be the value of arithmetic mean.

x̄ = A + ∑ d
N

where, x̄ = Arithmetic Mean

A = Assumed Mean
d = Deviation of the value of the variable from the assumed mean
d = (X-A)
N = Total number of items

The following steps are used:

1. Take an assumed mean, A
2. Take the deviation of each item from the assumed mean A and denote this deviation
by d, i.e., d = (X - A)
3. Obtain the sum of these deviations, i.e., find ∑ d
4. Use the formula: x̄ = A + ∑ d

Ex. 3: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:

45, 48, 50, 52, 60
Ans: Let A = 50

X D=X-A
45 45 – 50 = - 5
48 48 – 50 = - 2
50 50 – 50 = 0
52 52 – 50 = 2
60 60 – 50 = 10

∑d =5

x̄ = A + ∑ d
N
= 50 + 5 = 50 + 1 = 51
5
Ex. 4: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Roll no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Marks 30 40 50 60 70 80 50 70 90 50

Ans: Let A = 70

X D=X-A x̄ = A + ∑ d
30 30 – 70 = - 40 N
40 40 – 70 = - 30
= 70 + -110
50 50 – 70 = - 20
10
60 60 – 70 = - 10
= 70 – 11 = 59
70 70 – 70 = 0
80 80 – 70 = 10
50 50 – 70 = - 20
70 70 – 70 = 0
90 90 – 70 = 20
50 50– 70 = - 20

∑ d = -110
Case 2: Arithmetic mean in Discrete series
Discrete series means series where frequencies are given. In discrete series, arithmetic mean
may be computed by applying either direct method or short cut method.

(A) Direct Method

x̄ = ∑ fx

Where, x̄ = arithmetic mean

x = value of the variable
f = frequency
N = total of frequency
∑(sigma) stands for sum of values
The following steps are used:
1. multiply the frequency (f) with the variable (x) and obtain the total i.e., ∑ fx
2. divide the total obtained in the step 1 by total number of frequency (N) i.e., x̄ = ∑ fx

Ex. 5: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:

Value 5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75

frequency 15 20 25 24 12 31 71 52

Ans:
Value (x) Frequency (f) fx = f * x
5 15 15*5 = 75 x̄ = ∑ fx

15 20 15*20 = 300 N

25 25 25*25 = 500 = 12600

35 24 35*24 = 840 250
45 12 45*12 = 540 = 50.4
55 31 55*31 = 1705
65 71 65*71 = 4615
75 52 75*52 = 3900
N = 250 ∑ fx = 12600
Ex. 6: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Size of shoe 4 8 12 16 20

Number of students 6 12 18 15 9

Ans:

Size of shoe (x) Number of students (f) fx = f*x

x̄ = ∑ fx
4 6 24
N
8 12 96
= 756
12 18 216
16 15 240 60

20 9 180 = 12.6

N = 60 ∑ fx = 756

(B) Short cut method

x̄ = A + ∑ fd
N

where, x̄ = Arithmetic Mean

A = Assumed Mean
d = Deviation of the value of the variable from the assumed mean
d = (X-A)
f = frequency
N = Total number of items
The following steps are used:
1. Take an assumed mean, A
2. Take the deviation of each item from the assumed mean A and denote this deviation
by d, i.e., d = (X - A)
3. multiply the deviation ‘d’ by their respective frequencies and obtain ∑ fd
4. take the total of the frequencies i.e., N
5. Use the formula: x̄ = A + ∑ fd

N
Ex. 7: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Value 5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75

frequency 15 20 25 24 12 31 71 52

Ans: let A= 35
Value (x) Frequency (f) d = (X - A) fd = f * d
x̄ = A + ∑ fd
5 15 15-35 = -30 -450
N
15 20 15-35 = -20 -400
= 35 + 3850
25 25 25-35 = -10 -250
35 24 35-35 = 0 0 250

45 12 45-35 = 10 120 = 35 + 15.4

55 31 55-35 = 20 620 = 50.4

65 71 65-35= 30 2130
75 52 75-35 = 40 2080
N = 250 ∑ fd = 3850

Ex. 8: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:

Size of shoe 4 8 12 16 20

Number of students 6 12 18 15 9

Ans: let A = 12

Size of shoe (x) Number of students (f) d = (X - A) fd = f * d

x̄ = A + ∑ fd
4 6 -8 -48
N
8 12 -4 -48
= 12 + 36
12 18 0 0
16 15 4 60 60

20 9 8 72 = 12 + 0.6

N = 60 ∑ fd = 36 = 12.6
Case 3: Arithmetic mean in Continuous series
Continuous series means a series where frequencies are given along with class intervals. In
continuous series, arithmetic mean may be computed by applying either Direct method,
Short cut method or Step deviation method.

1. Direct Method

x̄ = ∑ fx

Where, x̄ = arithmetic mean

x = value of the variable
f = frequency
N = total of frequency
∑(sigma) stands for sum of values
The following steps are used:
1. find out the mid value of each class and denote it as X
(Mid value = upper limit + lower limit/2)
2. find the total of the frequencies and mark it as N
3. multiply the frequency (f) with the variable (x) and obtain the total i.e., ∑ fx
4. divide the total obtained in the step 1 by total number of frequency (N) i.e., x̄ = ∑ fx
N
Ex. 9: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Age 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80

No of persons 15 30 53 75 100 110 115 125

Ans:

Age(X) Mid value No of persons(f) fx = f * x

0-10 5 15 75
10-20 15 30 450
20-30 25 53 1219
30-40 35 75 2625
40-50 45 100 4500
50-60 55 110 6050
60-70 65 115 7475
 70-80 75 125 9375
N = 623 ∑fx =
31769

x̄ = ∑ fx = 31769 = 50.99
N 623

Note: Mid value = upper limit + lower limit/2

Eg; 10+0/2 = 5

2. Short cut method

x̄ = A + ∑ fd
N

where, x̄ = Arithmetic Mean

A = Assumed Mean
d = Deviation of the value of the variable from the assumed mean
d = (X-A)
f = frequency
N = Total number of items
The following steps are used:
1. Take an assumed mean, A
2. find out the mid value of each class and denote it as X
(Mid value = upper limit + lower limit/2)
3. Take the deviation of each item from the assumed mean A and denote this deviation by d, i.e.,
d = (X - A)
4. multiply the deviation ‘d’ by their respective frequencies and obtain ∑ fd
5. take the total of the frequencies i.e., N
6. Use the formula: x̄ = A + ∑ fd

N
Ex. 10: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Class 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69

Frequency 10 8 6 4 2
Ans: Let A = 44.5

Class (x) Class (x) Mid Number of students d = (X - A) fd = f * d

(unequal) (equal) values (f)

20-29 19.5-29.5 24.5 10 -20 -200

30-39 29.5-39.5 34.5 8 -10 -80
40-49 39.5-49.5 44.5 6 0 0
50-59 49.5-59.5 54.5 4 10 40
60-69 59.5-69.5 64.5 2 20 40
N = 30 ∑ fd = -200

x̄ = A + ∑ fd
N
= 44.5 + -200
30

= 44.5 + - 6.66

= 37.83

Note: since the given data are in the form of inclusive type they may be converted into exclusive
type. Therefore, we should deduct 0.5 from the lower limit and add 0.5 with the upper limit.

3. Step deviation method

x̄ = A + ∑ fd’ * c
N

where, x̄ = Arithmetic Mean

A = Assumed Mean
d = Deviation of the value of the variable from the assumed mean
d = (X-A)
f = frequency
d’ = d/c
c = common factor i.e., c= upper limit – lower limit
N = Total number of items
The following steps are used:
1. Take an assumed mean, A
2. find out the mid value of each class and denote it as X
3. (Mid value = upper limit + lower limit/2)
4. Take the deviation of each item from the assumed mean A and denote this deviation by d, i.e.,
d = (X - A)
5. Calculate d’ i.e., d’ = d/c
6. multiply the deviation ‘ d’ ’ by their respective frequencies and obtain ∑ fd’
7. take the total of the frequencies i.e., N
8. Use the formula: x̄ = A + ∑ fd ‘ * c
N

Ex. 11: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:

Marks (less than) 10 20 30 40 50

No of students 5 17 31 41 49

Ans: Let A = 25

C = 10 - 0 = 10

Marks (x) Marks (x) Mid Number of d = (X - A) d’ =d/c fd’ = f * d’

(unequal) (equal) values students (f)

Less than 10 0-10 5 5 -20 -2 -10

Less than 20 10-20 15 17-5=12 -10 -1 -12
Less than 30 20-30 25 31-17=14 0 0 0
Less than 40 30-40 35 41-31=10 10 1 10
Less than 50 40-50 45 49-41=8 20 2 16
N = 49 ∑ fd = 4

x̄ = A + ∑ fd ‘ * c
N

= 25 + 4 * 10

49

= 25 + 40

49

= 25 + 0.816

= 25.816
Ex. 12: Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Marks (more than) 0 2 4 6 8

No of students 30 28 24 18 10

Ans: Let A = 5

C=2–0=2

Marks (x) Marks (x) Mid Number of d = (X - A) d’ =d/c fd’ = f * d’

(unequal) (equal) values students (f)

More than 0 0-2 1 30-28 = 2 1-5 = -4 -2 -4

More than 2 2-4 3 28-24 = 4 3-5 = -2 -1 -4
More than 4 4-6 5 24-18 = 6 5-5 = 0 0 0
More than 6 6-8 7 18-10 = 8 7-5 = 2 1 8
More than 8 8-10 9 10 9-5 = 4 2 20
N = 30 ∑ fd’ = 20

x̄ = A + ∑ fd ‘ * c
N

= 5 + 20 * 2

30

= 5 + 40

30

= 5 + 1.33

= 6.33

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Following is the monthly income of eight families in a locality.
700, 100, 500,750, 130, 250, 80, 422
Find out arithmetic mean of their income.
(Ans: 366.5)
2. Following is the height of 10 students.
Students A B C D E F G H I J

Heights 155 153 168 160 162 166 167 180 157 165
(Ans: 163.3 )
3. Eight coins were tossed together. The number of heads(x) resulting is given below. Find the
mean of the distribution.
X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
F 1 9 26 59 72 52 26 7 1
(Ans: 3.95)
4. The following data related to the distance travelled by 520 villagers to buy their weekly
requirements.
Distance 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
travelled
No of 38 104 140 78 48 42 28 24 16 2
villagers
Calculate the arithmetic average.
(Ans: 7.7769)
5. Find out mean of the following distributions.
Marks 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80

No of 5 7 15 25 20 15 8 5
students
(Ans: 40)
6. Find out mean of the following distributions.
Marks 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55

No of 10 12 8 20 11 4 5
students
(Ans: 35.5)
7. Find out mean of the following distributions.
Marks 10-20 20-40 40-70 70-120 120-200

No of 4 10 26 8 2
students
(Ans: 57.4)
8. Calculate mean of the age distribution given below.
Age 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
group

Frequency 32 42 40 56 20 6 2 2

(Ans: 35.8)
9. Calculate Arithmetic mean from the following data:
Marks (less than) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

No of students 5 13 20 32 60 80 90 100

(Ans: 45)
10. Find the average wage of labourers from the following data:
Wages (above) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

No of labourers 650 500 425 375 300 275 250 100

(Ans: 39.23)
 MERITS OF ARITHMETIC MEAN (PROPERTIES ÓF ARITHMETIC MEAN)

1. Arithmetic mean is simple to understand.

2. Arithmetic mean can be easily calculated and thus it is a popular average.
3. Arithmetic mean can be determined in most of the cases.
4. It is based on all the observations of the series.
5. It is capable of more algebraic treatment.
6. Arithmetic mean is stable. It does not differ much from sample to sample.

DEMERITS OF ARITHMETIC MEAN

1. Arithmetic mean is affected by extreme values.

2. Usually mean does not coincide with any of the observed values.
3. It is not suitable for averaging ratios and percentages.
4. It cannot be calculated for qualitative data which cannot be measured numerically.
5. It may offer misleading and absurd results in some cases. For example, average number of
children per family in a village may work out as 3.2 which is impossible.
6. In the case of frequency distributions with open end classes, the mid values of all classes
cannot be obtained. Therefore, in such distributions, mean cannot be calculated accurately.
7. It cannot be located by inspection.
8. It cannot be located graphically.

Why is Arithmetic mean considered to be the best average?

Arithmetic mean can be easily calculated. It is simple to understand. It is well defined. It can
be determined in most of the cases. It is capable of more algebraic treatment. It is based on all
observations of the data. It can be located even without arraying data. It is stable as it does not
differ from sample to sample when the sample selected is sufficiently large. Thus, mean
satisfies many of the properties of a good average. That is why Arithmetic mean is considered
to be the best among commonly used averages. It has become an average of everyday life. It
is used in the study of many social and economic problems.

Mathematical properties of Arithmetic mean

1. Algebraic sum of the deviations of the items of a series from its arithmetic mean is
always zero. i.e., (∑x - x̄) = 0
2. The sum of the squared deviations of the items from arithmetic mean is minimum,
that is less than the sum of squared deviations of the items from any other values.
3. The sum of the given values of a series is equal to the product of their arithmetic
average and number of items of the series.
i.e., x̄ = ∑ fx can be also written as ∑ fx = N * x̄
N
4. If we have the arithmetic average and number of items of two or more than two
related variables, we can compute combined mean of the groups by applying the
following formula:

➢ COMBINED MEAN

x̄12 = N1 x̄1 + N2 x̄2

N1 + N2
Where, x̄12 = combined mean
N1 = number of items in the first group
x̄1 = arithmetic mean of first group
 N2 = number of items in the second group
x̄ 2 = arithmetic mean of second group

Ex. 13: Calculate combined mean from the following

The mean marks obtained by 50 boys in a class is 40 and mean marks of 30 girls of the same
class is 46. Find the mean marks of all the students.
Ans:
Given: N1 = 50
x̄1 = 40
N2 = 30
x̄ 2 = 46
x̄12 = N1 x̄1 + N2 x̄2
N1 + N2
x̄12 = 50*40 + 30*46
50 + 30
x̄12 = 2000 + 1380
80
x̄12 = 42.25

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. The mean height of 20 male workers in a factory is 170cms and the mean height of 30
female workers in the same factory is 150cms. Find the combined mean height of 50
workers in the factory.
(Ans: 158cm)
2. If a sample size of 22 items has a mean of 15 and another sample size of 18 items has
a mean of 20, find the mean of the combined samples.
(Ans: 17.25)
3. The mean wage of 100 labourers working in a factory running 2 shifts of 60 and 40
workers respectively is rs. 38. The mean wage of 60 labourers working in the
morning shift is rs. 40. Find the mean wage of labourers working in the evening shift.
(Ans: rs. 35)
4. The mean wage of 150 labourers working in a factory running 3 shifts of 60, 40 and
50 workers respectively is rs. 114. The mean wage of 60 labourers working in the first
shift is rs. 107.75. The mean wage of labourers working in the third shift is rs. 110.
Find the mean wage of second shift?
(Ans: rs. 128.4)

➢ CORRECTION IN MEAN
The process of calculating the correct mean value is very simple. From the total of the values,
the incorrect values are first subtracted and then the correct values are added. This total is
divided by the number of items to get the correct value of the mean.
Steps:
1. Find incorrect ∑ X
2. Find correct ∑ X by applying the formula:
correct ∑ X = incorrect ∑ X – incorrect value + correct value

3. Find correct mean by applying the formula:

 Correct x̄ = correct ∑ X
N

Ex. 14: calculate correct mean.

Mean marks obtained by 100 students was found be 40. Later on it was noted that one value
was read as 83 instead of 53. Find out the correct mean.
Ans:
Incorrect x̄ = 40
N = 100

Therefore, Incorrect x̄ = incorrect ∑ X

N

1. incorrect ∑ X = Incorrect x̄ * N
= 40 * 100
= 4000
2. correct ∑ X = incorrect ∑ X – incorrect value + correct value
= 4000 – 83 + 53
= 3970
3. Correct x̄ = correct ∑ X
N
= 3970 = 39.7
100
Ex. 15: calculate correct mean.
Arithmetic mean of 100 items is 34. At the time of calculation three items 118,70 and 19 were
wrongly taken as 180, 17 and 90 respectively. What is the correct mean?
Ans:
Incorrect x̄ = 34
N = 100

Therefore, Incorrect x̄ = incorrect ∑ X

N

1. incorrect ∑ X = Incorrect x̄ * N
= 34 * 100
= 3400
2. correct ∑ X = incorrect ∑ X – incorrect value + correct value
= 4000 – (180+17+90) + (118+70+19)
= 3320
3. Correct x̄ = correct ∑ X
N
= 3320 = 33.2
100

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. The mean marks of 50 students are 60. Later on, it was discovered that a score of 63 marks was
misread as 73. Find the mean corresponding to correct score. (Ans: 59.8)
2. The average marks of a student in 5 subjects is 72. His marks in four subjects are 37, 82, 55 and
77. Find out the marks for 5th subject. (Ans: 109)
3. Mean of 100 observations is found to be 40. If at the time of computation, two items are wrongly
taken as 30 and 27 instead of 3 and 72. Find correct mean. (Ans: 40.18)
4. There were 500 workers. Their mean wage was calculated as Rs. [Link] on it was discovered
that the wages of two workers were misread as 180 and 20 instead of 80 and 220. Find the correct
mean. (Ans: 200.4)
5. The average price of a commodity in 15 markets, calculated to be Rs. 4.50. It was later found that
the prices from 2 markets were wrongly entered. In one market, Rs. 4.6 was entered in the place
of 4 and in the other instead of Rs. 3.6, Rs. 3.9 was recorded. Recalculate and obtain the correct
average price. (Ans: 4.4)
6. Mean of 100 items was 150. Later it was discovered that two items were misread as 92 and 8
instead of 192 and 88. Find the correct mean. (Ans: 151.8)

Computation of Weighted arithmetic mean

Simple arithmetic mean gives equal importance to all the items. Sometimes the items in a
series may not be of equal importance. In such a case weighted average will be
appropriate. The weights are attached to each item on the basis of the relative importance
of the item in the distribution.

x̄W = ∑WX
∑W

Where, x̄W = weighted arithmetic mean

∑WX = total of values of variables multiplied with their weights ( w*x)
∑W = total of weights

Ex. 16: A candidate obtained the following percentage of marks. English = 60, hindi = 75,
maths = 63, physics = 60, chemistry = 55. Find the weighted mean if weights are 1,1,2,3,3
respectively allotted to subjects.
Ans:
subjects Marks (x) Weights (w) W*x

English 60 1 60*1 = 60

hindi 75 1 75*1 = 75

maths 63 2 63*2 = 126

physics 60 3 60*3 = 180

chemistry 55 3 55*3 = 165

∑W = 10 ∑WX = 606

x̄W = ∑WX = 606 = 60.6

∑W 10
 PRACTICE QUESTION
1. Find the weighted Arithmetic Mean for the data given below:
Size 5 10 15 20 25 30

Weights 8 4 5 10 7 6

(Ans: 13.7)
2. Find the weighted Arithmetic Mean for the data given below:
Items A B C D E F

Price 4 10 15 12 20 8

Weights 70 30 40 20 25 15

(Ans: 10.2)
3. A housewife uses 10kg wheat, 20kg fuel, 5kg sugar and 2kg oil. Price per kg of these items
are rs. 1.50, 0.50, 2.80 and 10 respectively. Taking quantities used as weights find out
weighted arithmetic mean of the prices.
(Ans: 1.59)

(2) MEDIAN
Median is a positional average. If a group of N observations are arranged in ascending or
descending order of magnitude, then the middle value is called median of these observations and
is denoted by M.

According to L R Connor, “the median is that value of the variable which divides the group in to
two equal parts, one part comprising of all values greater and the other all values less than the
median”

Case 1: Median in individual series

Median = value of ( N+1) th item

2

Where, N = number of items

Steps:
1. Arrange the values in the ascending order or descending order.
2. Find out the value of middle item. It is also called value of ( N+1) th item
2
Ex 1: find the median from the following values:
 4, 45, 60, 20, 83, 19, 26, 11, 27, 12, 52

Ans: step 1: arrange the data in ascending order:

4, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26, 27, 45, 52, 60, 83

Step 2: M = value of (N+1) th item

2
= value of (11+1) th item = value of 12th item
2 2
= value of 6th item = 26
Therefore, M = 26

Ex 2: calculate the median from the following values:

35, 23, 45, 50, 80, 61, 92, 40, 52, 61

Ans: step 1: arrange the data in ascending order:

23, 35, 40, 45, 50, 52, 61, 61, 80,92

Step 2: M = value of (N+1) th item

2
= value of (10+1) th item = value of 11th item
2 2
= value of 5.5h item = value of 5th item + value of 6th item
2
= value of (50+52) th item = value of 102th item
2 2

Therefore, M = 51

Note: when N is an even number, there may be two middle items. Therefore, take the average of
them.
Case 2: Median in discrete series
 Median = value of ( N+1) th item
2

Where, N = total of frequency

Ex: 3 calculate median

Size 5 8 10 15 20 25

Frequency 3 12 8 7 5 4

Ans:
size frequency Cumulative frequency Median = value of ( N+1) th item
(CF)
5 3 3 2
= value of ( 39+1) th item
8 12 3+12=15
2
10 8 3+12+18=23
= value of 40 th item
15 7 3+12+8+7=30 2
20 5 3+12+8+7+5=35 = value of 20 th item

25 4 3+12+8+7+5+4=39
The cf which include 20 is 23. The size
for which cumulative frequency is 23, 10
Therefore, M = 10

Ex: 4 calculate median

Wages 10 12 15 18 20 25 30

No of workers 3 5 8 12 13 12 7

Ans:
wages No of workers Cumulative frequency

10 3 3

12 5 8

15 8 16
 18 12 28 Median = value of ( N+1) th item

20 13 41 2
= value of ( 60+1) th item
25 12 53
2
30 7 60
= value of 61 th item
2
= value of 30.5th item

The cf which include 30.5 is 41. The size for which cumulative frequency is 41, 20
Therefore, M = 20

Case 3: Median in continuous series

Median = L1 + L2 – L1 (m – c)
f

Where, m = N/2
N = total of frequency
c = cumulative frequency of the class preceding the modal class
L1 = lower limit of the modal class
L2 = upper limit of the modal class
f = frequency of the modal class

Steps:
1. Find the cumulative frequency of the frequency given
2. Find m by applying the equation m = N/2
3. Locate the middle value, which is corresponding to the value of m. The class in which median
falls is called median class.
4. Find the value of median by applying the interpolation equation i.e.,
Median = L1 + L2 – L1 (m – c)
f
Ex: 4 Calculate median
Class 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70
frequency 8 12 20 23 18 7 2

Ans:
 class frequency cf
0-10 8 8
10-20 12 20
20-30 20 40
30-40 23 63
40-50 18 81
50-60 7 88
60-70 2 90

Median = L1 + L2 – L1 (m – c)
f
step 1: m = N/2
= 90/2 = 45
45 is included in the cumulative frequency 63. Therefore, median class = 30-40

Median = L1 + L2 – L1 (m – c)
f
= 30 + 40 – 30 (45-40)

23
= 30 + 10 * 5
23
= 30 + 50
23

= 30 + 2.173
M = 32.173