Median vs. Mean

Main Difference

Difference between mean and median are important to understand for statistical, mathematical and probability theory point of view. The main difference between mean and median is that mean is the average value of a set of numbers while median is the center value or mid-point of a set of numbers that shows the lower value before it and higher value after it.

Median vs. Mean — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Median and Mean

Median vs. Mean

For normal distributions, mean is used. For skewed distribution, median is generally used.

Median vs. Mean

Mean is the average of a set of numbers while median is the middle value of a set of data that can also be said as a separator between lower and higher values in a set of data.

Median vs. Mean

Concept of mean is also used in median if set of data has even number values. There is no concept of median in case of calculating mean.

Median vs. Mean

Mean is not a robust tool because it is largely influenced by outliers. The median is better suited for skewed distributions to derive at central tendency as it is more robust and sensible.

Median vs. Mean

Mean is calculated by all numbers of a given set of data and then dividing the result by the total numbers. Median is calculated by arranging the data from lower to higher value and then choosing the middle value.

Mediannoun

A central vein or nerve, especially the median vein or median nerve running through the forearm and arm.

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Meanverb

To intend.

Mediannoun

(geometry) A line segment joining the vertex of triangle to the midpoint of the opposing side.

Meanverb

(transitive) To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.

I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.I mean to go to Baddeck this summer.I meant to take the car in for a smog check, but it slipped my mind.

Mediannoun

(statistics) The number separating the higher half of a data sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one (e.g., the median of {3, 3, 5, 9, 11} is 5). If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values.

Meanverb

(intransitive) To have intentions of a given kind.

Don't be angry; she meant well.

Mediannoun

(US) The median strip; the area separating two lanes of opposite-direction traffic.

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Meanverb

To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.

Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.Man was not meant to question such things.

Medianadjective

Situated in the middle; central, intermediate.

Meanverb

To convey meaning.

Medianadjective

In the middle of an organ, structure etc.; towards the median plane of an organ or limb.

Meanverb

(transitive) To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea).

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm?

Medianadjective

(statistics) Having the median as its value.

Meanverb

(transitive) Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.

What does this hieroglyph mean?

Mediannoun

the value below which 50% of the cases fall

Meanverb

(transitive) To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says).

Does she really mean what she said to him last night?Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Medianadjective

relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in an even-numbered set);

the median value of 17, 20, and 36 is 20the median income for the year was $15,000

Meanverb

(transitive) To result in; to bring about.

One faltering step means certain death.

Medianadjective

dividing an animal into right and left halves

Meanverb

(transitive) To be important (to).

My home life means a lot to me.

Medianadjective

relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle

Meanverb

To lament.

Meanadjective

(obsolete) Common; general.

Meanadjective

Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble.

a man of mean parentage/ a mean abode

Meanadjective

Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.

a mean appearance/ mean dress

Meanadjective

Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base.

a mean motive

Meanadjective

Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.

Meanadjective

Ungenerous; stingy, tightfisted; North American English: cheap; formal: niggardly, penurious, miserly.

He's so mean. I've never seen him spend so much as five pounds on presents for his children.

Meanadjective

Disobliging; pettily offensive or unaccommodating; small.

Meanadjective

Selfish; acting without consideration of others; unkind.

It was mean to steal the girl's piggy bank, but he just had to get uptown and he had no cash of his own.

Meanadjective

Causing or intending to cause intentional harm; bearing ill will towards another; cruel; malicious.

Watch out for her, she's mean. I said good morning to her, and she punched me in the nose.

Meanadjective

Powerful; fierce; harsh; damaging.

It must have been a mean typhoon that levelled this town.

Meanadjective

Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with.

Your mother can roll a mean cigarette.He hits a mean backhand.

Meanadjective

Difficult, tricky.

This problem is mean!

Meanadjective

Having the mean (see noun below) as its value.

Meanadjective

(obsolete) Middling; intermediate; moderately good, tolerable.

Meannoun

A method or course of action used to achieve some result.

Meannoun

An intermediate step or intermediate steps.

Meannoun

Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium.

Meannoun

The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument.

Meannoun

(statistics) The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean.

Meannoun

(mathematics) Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency.

Meannoun

(mathematics) Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6.

Meannoun

an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n

Meanverb

mean or intend to express or convey;

You never understand what I mean!what do his words intend?

Meanverb

have as a logical consequence;

The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers

Meanverb

denote or connote;

`maison' means `house' in FrenchAn example sentence would show what this word means

Meanverb

have in mind as a purpose;

I mean no harmI only meant to help youShe didn't think to harm meWe thought to return early that night

Meanverb

have a specified degree of importance;

My ex-husband means nothing to meHappiness means everything

Meanverb

intend to refer to;

I'm thinking of good food when I talk about FranceYes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!

Meanverb

destine or designate for a certain purpose;

These flowers were meant for you

Meanadjective

approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;

the average income in New England is below that of the nationof average height for his agethe mean annual rainfall

Meanadjective

characterized by malice;

a hateful thing to doin a mean mood

Meanadjective

having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;

that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabbletaking a mean advantagechok'd with ambition of the meaner sortsomething essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics

Meanadjective

excellent;

famous for a mean backhand

Meanadjective

marked by poverty befitting a beggar;

a beggarly existence in the slumsa mean hut

Meanadjective

used of persons or behavior; characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity;

a mean personhe left a miserly tip

Meanadjective

used of sums of money; so small in amount as to deserve contempt

What is Median?

According to statistical and probability theory, median is a number is a set of number that works as a separator between lower and higher value, population, sample or a probability distribution. It is calculated by arranging the numbers from lowest value to highest value and then selecting the middle one. For example the data 4,10,8,2,5 will be first arranged from lower to higher value as 2,4,5,8,10 and then the middle value 5 will be chosen as the median. In case of even number, there is no single value, the median is them usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values (the median of 2,4,8,10) is (4+8)/2 = 6.

What is Mean?

The definitions of mean varies in different field of study. It depends on the context. But the term mean is more related to state and probability theory. This term is used synonymously with expected value. Mean or arithmetic mean is a type of average that shows the average value of a set of number. It is calculated by adding up the all numbers and then dividing the result by the total numbers. For example, the mean of 7,8,2,3,4,5 is calculated as adding up the 7+8+2+3+5+5 and dividing it by total numbers that are 6 that gives the result of 5. For a data set, the term mathematical expectation and average are also used as a synonym of arithmetic mean. The mean of a set of numbers is denoted by , pronounced as “x bar”.