Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
These four measures are fundamental to descriptive statistics and help summarize datasets:
Mean: Sum of all values ÷ count (average)
Median: Middle value when data is sorted
Mode: Most frequently occurring value
Range: Maximum value - minimum value
Understanding the Mean
The mean (arithmetic average) adds all values and divides by the count. It is the most common measure of central tendency but is sensitive to outliers. One extremely large or small value can significantly shift the mean.
Understanding the Median
The median is the middle value in sorted data. For even-numbered datasets, it is the average of the two middle values. The median is robust against outliers, making it better for skewed distributions.
Understanding the Mode
The mode is the most frequent value. A dataset can have no mode (all unique values), one mode (unimodal), or multiple modes (bimodal, multimodal).
Understanding the Range
The range measures the spread of data: maximum minus minimum. Simple but sensitive to outliers.
How to Use
Enter your numbers separated by commas. The calculator instantly computes all four measures.
When to Use Each Measure
Use the mean for normally distributed data, the median for skewed data or when outliers are present, the mode for categorical data, and the range as a quick spread measure.