STATISTICS

DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
AND OTHER POSITION

PROBABILITY & STATISTICS

GENERAL ENGINEERING

Engr. ERICSON G. GUINTO

CONTENTS
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
MEAN (𝑥)
MEDIAN (MD)
MODE (MO)
COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
WEIGHTED MEAN
FRACTILES OR QUARTILES
 MEASURE OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
► often called MEASURE OF CENTRAL LOCATION,
CENTRAL POSITION or AVERAGES

AVERAGE - a typical value that describes or represent

data

► the center/middle point of a distribution

► the location of the concentration of scores
► the tendency of quantitative data to cluster around some
central value
► single numerical figure which is the representative of the
general levels of magnitude or values of items in a set
of data
 MEASURE OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
WHEN TO USE CENTRAL TENDENCY?
► when quick hand description of a mass quantitative
data is needed
► when examining the cluster of scores for a central
value
► when there is grouping

COMPUTATIONAL VARIATIONS
► ungrouped data
► grouped data
 MEAN (x)
► the most frequently used measure of central tendency
► defined as the arithmetic average of all scores or group
of scores in a distribution

ARITHMETIC AVERAGE - sum of the sample values

divided by the sample size

PROPERTIES OF THE MEAN

► more stable and reliable measure of central tendency
► value of the mean is dependent upon every item in a
set of data
► is a point that balances all values on either side
► sensitive or is affected by extreme values
 MEAN (x)
USES OF THE MEAN
► preferred measure of central tendency when the
distribution is symmetrical
► used to obtain an average value from a series of
values after each item is weighted
► used in the computation of other advanced statistical
measures (i.e. standard deviation and coefficient of
correlation)
► typically used for interval data (arithmetic mean) and
ratio data (geometric mean)
 MEDIAN (MD)
► the middle-most (or midpoint) value in a list of items
that are arranged in an array
► represents the point in the data where one-half (50%) of
the scores falling below such point and the other half
falling above it

(The term median was first used for statistics by

Antoine Augustin Cournot in 1843).

For ODD number of values, the median is the exact

middle value within the set.

For EVEN number of values, the median is the average

of the two middle values within the set.
 MEDIAN (MD)
PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIAN
► value of the median is midway between the highest
and lowest value in a rank order distribution
► median is the point that divides the frequency
distribution in 2 equal halves
► median is not sensitive to the size of the extreme
values but is affected by the number of items
► items should be arranged in an ascending array
before it can be counted or computed

USES OF THE MEDIAN

► used whenever an average position is desired
► preferred measure in distribution with indeterminate values
► typically used for ordinal data
 MODE (MO)
► the score (observation) or group of scores that occurs
most frequently
► value that is repeated most often in the data set

(The term mode was first used by Karl Pearson in 1895.)

PROPERTIES OF THE MODE

► mode is the most easily determined and readily
available measure of central tendency
► not affected by extreme values and the number of items
► arranging the values in an array before determining
the mode is not necessary
► least reliable of the 3 measures of tendency
► leads toward terminal statistics
 MODE (MO)
USES OF THE MODE
► used when a quick but crude measure of central
tendency is needed
► although seldom used as a statistic tool, it is helpful in
describing typical behavior as evidenced by
commonly occurring score
► helps to spot a trend in a given set of data
► typically used for nominal data
 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
MEAN
𝐧
𝐢=𝟏 𝐱𝐢
𝐱=
𝐧
where: x = arithmetic mean
x = score
n = sample size
 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
MEDIAN

For ODD # of Values: For EVEN # of Values:

( 𝐱𝐧 + 𝐱𝐧 )
+𝟏
𝟐 𝟐
𝐌𝐃 = 𝐱𝐧+𝟏 𝐌𝐃 =
𝟐
𝟐

where: MD = median
x = score
n = sample size

Note: the formula refers to the median term

 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
Example: A food inspector examined a random sample
of 7 cans of certain brands of tuna to determine the
percent of foreign impurities. The following
percentages were recorded: 1.8, 2.1, 1.7, 1.6, 0.9,
2.7 and 1.8. Compute for the sample mean, median
and mode.

Solution:
A. MEAN
1.8 + 2.1 + 1.7 + 1.6 + 0.9 + 2.7 + 1.8
x=
7
𝐱 = 𝟏. 𝟖
 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
Example: A food inspector examined a random sample
of 7 cans of certain brands of tuna to determine the
percent of foreign impurities. The following
percentages were recorded: 1.8, 2.1, 1.7, 1.6, 0.9,
2.7 and 1.8. Compute for the sample mean, median
and mode.

Solution:
B. MEDIAN
ARRAY: 0.9 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.8 2.1 2.7

MD = 1.8
 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
Example: A food inspector examined a random sample
of 7 cans of certain brands of tuna to determine the
percent of foreign impurities. The following
percentages were recorded: 1.8, 2.1, 1.7, 1.6, 0.9,
2.7 and 1.8. Compute for the sample mean, median
and mode.

Solution:
C. MODE
Since 1.8 has 2 frequencies, therefore, MO = 1.8
 COMPUTATION (UNGROUPED DATA)
Exercise: An article in the Journal of Structural
Engineering (Vol. 115, 1989) describes an experiment
to test the yield strength of circular tubes with caps
welded to the ends. The first yields (in kN) are as
follows: 140, 96, 164, 170, 102, 160, 128, 156,
102, 128, 126, 108, 128, 102, 160, 104 and 96.
Calculate the sample mean, median and mode.

Answer: 𝐱 = 127.65
MD = 128
MO = 102, 128
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
MEAN
a. LONG METHOD

𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐗𝐢 𝐟𝐢
𝐱=
𝐧
where: x = arithmetic mean
Xi = class mark (class midpoint)
fi = frequency of each class
k = no. of class intervals
n = sample size
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
MEAN
b. DEVIATION METHOD

𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐟𝐢 𝐃𝐢
𝐱=𝐀+
𝐧
where: x = arithmetic mean
A = assumed mean or class mark of the mean
class
fi = frequency of each class
Di = deviation from the assumed mean
n = sample size
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
MEAN
c. CODING METHOD

𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐟𝐢𝐮𝐢
𝐱 = 𝐀+𝐜
𝐧
where: x = arithmetic mean
A = assumed mean or class mark of the mean
class
fi = frequency of each class
ui = code
c = class size
n = sample size
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Example: Find the arithmetic mean of the distribution
using the three methods.

CLASS INTERVAL f
25-29 5
30-34 4
35-39 6
40-44 9
45-49 7
50-54 6
55-59 3
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:
CLASS
f X fX
INTERVAL
25-29 5 27 135
30-34 4 32 128
35-39 6 37 222
40-44 9 42 378
45-49 7 47 329
50-54 6 52 312
55-59 3 57 171
∑ 40 1675
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:

a. LONG METHOD
𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐗𝐢 𝐟𝐢 𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟓
𝐱= = = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟖𝟖
𝐧 𝟒𝟎
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:
CLASS
f X fX D fD
INTERVAL
25-29 5 27 135 -15 -75
30-34 4 32 128 -10 -40
35-39 6 37 222 -5 -30
40-44 9 42 378 0 0
45-49 7 47 329 5 35
50-54 6 52 312 10 60
55-59 3 57 171 15 45
∑ 40 1675 -5
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:

a. LONG METHOD
𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐗𝐢 𝐟𝐢 𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟓
𝐱= = = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟖𝟖
𝐧 𝟒𝟎

b. DEVATION METHOD
𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐟𝐢𝐃𝐢 −𝟓
𝐱=𝐀+ = 𝟒𝟐 + = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟖𝟖
𝐧 𝟒𝟎
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:
CLASS
f X fX D fD U fU
INTERVAL
25-29 5 27 135 -15 -75 -3 -15
30-34 4 32 128 -10 -40 -2 -8
35-39 6 37 222 -5 -30 -1 -6
40-44 9 42 378 0 0 0 0
45-49 7 47 329 5 35 1 7
50-54 6 52 312 10 60 2 12
55-59 3 57 171 15 45 3 9
∑ 40 1675 -5 -1
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution:

c. CODING METHOD
𝐤
𝐢=𝟏 𝐟𝐢𝐮𝐢 −𝟏
𝐱 = 𝐀+𝐜 = 𝟒𝟐 + (𝟓)( ) = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟖𝟖
𝐧 𝟒𝟎
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
MEDIAN
𝐧
− < 𝐜𝐟𝐛
𝐌𝐃 = 𝐋𝐌𝐃 + 𝐜 𝟐
𝐟𝐌𝐃
where: MD = median
LMD = lower class boundary of median class
c = class size
n = sample size
<cfb = less than cumulative frequency of the
class PRECEEDING (before) the median
class
fMD = frequency of the median class
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
MODE
𝐟𝐌𝐎 −𝐟𝟏
𝐌𝐎 = 𝐋𝐌𝐎 + 𝐜
𝟐𝐟𝐌𝐎−𝐟𝟏−𝐟𝟐
where: MO = mode
LMO = lower class boundary of the modal class
c = class size
fMO = frequency of the modal class
f1 = frequency PRECEEDING (before) the
modal class
f2 = frequency FOLLOWING (after) the
modal class
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Example: Find the MEDIAN and the MODE of the
following distribution.

CLASS INTERVAL f
25-29 5
30-34 4
35-39 6
40-44 9
45-49 7
50-54 6
55-59 3
∑ 40
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution: n/2 = 40/2 = 20
CLASS
INTERVAL
f <cf Median Class = 40-44
25-29 5 5
LMD = 39.5
<cfb = 15
30-34 4 9
fMD = 9
35-39 6 15
15 c=5
40-44 9 24 𝐧
− < 𝐜𝐟𝐛
45-49 7 31 𝐌𝐃 = 𝐋𝐌𝐃 + 𝐜 𝟐
50-54 6 37 𝐟𝐌𝐃
55-59 3 40 𝟒𝟎
− 𝟏𝟓
𝟐
∑ 40 = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝟗
𝐌𝐃 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟖
 COMPUTATION (GROUPED DATA)
Solution: Modal Class = 40-44
CLASS
f
LMO = 39.5
INTERVAL fMO = 9
25-29 5 f1 = 6
30-34 4 f2 = 7
35-39 6 c=5
40-44 9 𝐟𝐌𝐎 − 𝐟𝟏
𝐌O = 𝐋𝐌𝐎 + 𝐜
45-49 7 𝟐𝐟𝐌𝐎 − 𝐟𝟏 − 𝐟𝟐
50-54 6 𝟗−𝟔
55-59 3 = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝟐 𝟗 −𝟔 −𝟕
∑ 40 𝐌𝐎 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟓𝟎
 WEIGHTED MEAN (x)
► kind of average in which instead of each data point
contributing equally to the final mean, some data
points contribute more “weight” than others
► a numerical multiplier is multiplied to the variable in order
to indicate the relative importance
► enables to calculate the average that takes into account
the importance of each value to the overall total

If all the weights are equal, then the weighted mean

equals the arithmetic mean.
WEIGHTED MEAN (x)

𝐧
𝐢=𝟏 𝛚𝐢 𝐱𝐢
𝐱= 𝐧
𝐢=𝟏 𝛚𝐢

where: x = weighted mean

𝜔i = weights
xi = scores/values
n = sample size
 WEIGHTED MEAN (x)
Example: The following table shows the grades of a GE
student last semester. Find the grade’s weighted mean.

SUBJECT UNITS GRADE

Differential Calculus 5 2.50
Physics I 4 2.25
Physics I Lab 1 1.75
Computer Programming 2 2.00
Technical Communications 3 1.50
Philippine Literature 3 1.75
Economics 3 1.75
Physical Education 3 2 2.00
 WEIGHTED MEAN (x)
Example: The following table shows the grades of a GE
student last semester. Find the grade’s weighted mean.

SUBJECT UNITS GRADE U*G

Differential Calculus 5 2.50 12.50
Physics I 4 2.25 9.00 Σ𝜔𝑥
Physics I Lab 1 1.75 1.75
x=
Σ𝜔
Computer Programming 2 2.00 4.00
Technical Communications 3 1.50 4.50 46.25
Philippine Literature 3 1.75 5.25
x=
23
Economics 3 1.75 5.25
Physical Education 3 2 2.00 4.00
Σ 23 46.25 𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟏
 WEIGHTED MEAN (x)
Example: You take three 100-point exams in your statistics
class and score 80, 80 and 95. The last exam is much
easier than the first two, so your professor has given it less
weight. The weights for the three exams are:
Exam 1: 40 % of your grade
Exam 2: 40 % of your grade
Exam 3: 20 % of your grade
What is your final weighted average for the class?

Solution:
Σ𝜔𝑥 .4 80 + .4 80 + .2 95
x= = = 83
Σ𝜔 .4 + .4 + .2
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
► measures of location that describes or locates the position
of certain pieces of data relative to the entire set of
data
► unlike median that divides the distribution to 2 equal
parts, fractiles or quantiles divide a given distribution
into N equal parts
► applicable to grouped data

QUARTILES – divides the distribution to 4 equal parts

DECILES – divides the distribution to 10 equal parts

PERCENTILES – divides the distribution to 100 equal parts

 FRACTILE LOCATION

PERCENTILES P10 P20 P30 P40 P50 P60 P70 P80 P90 P100

DECILES D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10

QUARTILES Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

MEDIAN MD

WHOLE
DISTRIBUTION
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
MEDIAN 𝐌𝐃 = 𝐋𝐌𝐃 + 𝐜 𝟐
𝐟𝐌𝐃

𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
QUARTILES 𝐐𝐤 = 𝐋𝐐 + 𝐜 𝟒
𝐟𝐐

𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
DECILES 𝐃𝐤 = 𝐋𝐃 + 𝐜 𝟏𝟎
𝐟𝐃

𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
PERCENTILES 𝐏𝐤 = 𝐋𝐏 + 𝐜 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐟𝐏
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
QUARTILES 𝐐𝐤 = 𝐋𝐐 + 𝐜 𝟒
𝐟𝐐

𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
DECILES 𝐃𝐤 = 𝐋𝐃 + 𝐜 𝟏𝟎
𝐟𝐃

𝐤𝐧
− <𝐜𝐟𝐛
PERCENTILES 𝐏𝐤 = 𝐋𝐏 + 𝐜 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐟𝐏

where: LQ / LD / LP = lower class boundary of Q/D/P class

<cfb = less than cumulative frequency of the
class PRECEEDING (before) the Q/D/P class
fQ / fD / fP = frequency of the median class
c = class size
k = quartile/decile/percentile term
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
Example: Find the Q1, D7 and P30 for the distribution
below.

CLASS INTERVAL f
25-29 5
30-34 4
35-39 6
40-44 9
45-49 7
50-54 6
55-59 3
∑ 40
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
Solution: kn/4 = 1(40)/4 = 10
CLASS
INTERVAL
f <cf Q1 Class = 35-39
LQ = 34.5
25-29 5 5
<cfb = 9
30-34 4 9 fQ = 6
35-39 6 15 c=5
40-44 9 24 𝐤𝐧
− < 𝐜𝐟𝐛
45-49 7 31 𝐐𝟏 = 𝐋𝐐 + 𝐜 𝟒
50-54 6 37 𝐟𝐐
55-59 3 40 (𝟏)(𝟒𝟎)
− 𝟗
𝟒
∑ 40 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝟔
𝐐𝟏 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟑𝟑
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
Solution: kn/10 = 7(40)/10 = 28
CLASS
INTERVAL
f <cf D7 Class = 45-49
25-29 5 5
LD = 44.5
<cfb = 24
30-34 4 9
fD = 7
35-39 6 15 c=5
40-44 9 24 𝐤𝐧
45-49 7 31 𝟏𝟎 − < 𝐜𝐟𝐛
𝐃𝟕 = 𝐋𝐃 + 𝐜
50-54 6 37 𝐟𝐃
55-59 3 40 (𝟕)(𝟒𝟎)
− 𝟐𝟒
𝟏𝟎
∑ 40 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝟕
𝐃𝟕 = 𝟒𝟕. 𝟑𝟔
 FRACTILES or QUANTILES
Solution: kn/100 = 30(40)/100 = 12
CLASS
INTERVAL
f <cf P30 Class = 35-39
25-29 5 5
LP = 34.5
<cfb = 9
30-34 4 9
fP = 6
35-39 6 15 c=5
40-44 9 24 𝐤𝐧
45-49 7 31 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − < 𝐜𝐟𝐛
𝐏𝟑𝟎 = 𝐋𝐏 + 𝐜
50-54 6 37 𝐟𝐏
55-59 3 40 (𝟑𝟎)(𝟒𝟎)
− 𝟗
𝟏𝟎𝟎
∑ 40 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝟔
𝐏𝟑𝟎 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟎