Refresher - Properties and Uses

Properties and Uses

The Mean:

• The mean varies less than the median or mode when samples are taken from the same population
• The mean for the data set is unique and not necessarily one of the data values
• The mean is affected by extremely high or low data values, called outliers, and may not be the appropriate average to use in those situations

The Midrange

The lowest value plus highest value, divided by 2

The Mode

The mode of a set of numbers is the value which occurs with the greatest frequency. (The most common value). The mode is used when the most typical case is desired. Note that mode may not exist, or even if it does exist, it may not be unique.

Dispersion

The degree to which numerical data tend to spread about an average value is called dispersion(Variation) or deviation.