Measures of Central Tendency

A measure of central tendency indicates the idea of the average sco in a distribution. The three kinds of
measures of central tendency are mean, median, and mode.

The Mean

The mean is simply the average of a group of scores.

Average = Mean

The formula for computing the mean of ungrouped scores is given below.

formula:

The Mean of Grouped Scores

Grouped scores consist of 30 and above frequencies. The formula for calculating the mean of grouped
scores is given below.

The steps in computing the mean of grouped scores are as follows:

1. Select the interval containing the Assumed Mean to be the starting point. The interval chosen in the
example was 21-23. Call this interval zero. To get the Assumed Mean, add the lower and upper limit of
the score interval (21-23) and divide the result by 2. So, 21+2344+2 = 22

2. Designate the next higher interval +1, the one above this +2, and so on; designate the next lower than
zero -1, the one below that -2, and so on. These intervals are presented in d column.

3. Multiply the frequency (f) by the number of deviations (d) above or below the starting point which is
zero (0). The products obtained are listed under the fd column.

4. Get the algebraic sum of the numerical values in the fd column. Add first the values with + sign and
then add the numbers with -sign. Next, add the two sums taking note of the plus and minus signs.

5. Get the total number of scores or cases in the f column and label this N.

6. Divide the algebraic sum of fd by N.

7. Multiply the quotient by the interval used.

8. Add the product to the Assumed Mean.

Median

The median is the middle score in a distribution. It divides the distribution in half: 50 percent of the
scores is found above the median, and the other 50 percent lies below the median.

EXAMPLE: Find the median of the following set of ungrouped scores: 20, 35, 15, 40, 50.

Steps:

1. Arrange the ungrouped scores in ascending order (i.e. from the highest to the lowest score).

2. Encircle the score that is in the middle of the distribution

EXAMPLE:

50

40

35

20

15

= median

When N is even, choose the two middle scores. Then, add these middle scores and divide by 2 or
number of times the middle score occurs.

EXAMPLE: Find the median of the following set of ungrouped scores: 20, 35, 15, 40, 50, 36.

50

40

36

35

2 middle scores 36 +35=35.5 = Median

20

15
The Median of Grouped Scores

Another formula is used to compute the median of grouped scores The formula is given below.

Formula:

Median = LL+

N2

-cf

fm

where:

LL = Lowest Limit

N = number of cases

cf = cumulative frequency

fm = frequency where the measure lies

i = interval

Steps in computing the median of grouped scores:

1. Get the cumulative frequencies by adding the numerical values in the cf column and the column as
shown in the example. To get 4, add 1 under the f column with 3 under the column and so on until the
last sum upward equals the total number of scores (N).

2. Determine the number of cases that represents 50 percent of the total number of cases. In our
example, 50% of 40 is 20 or 40÷2=20

3. Find the interval in which the cumulative frequency (cf) is less than the required number of cases. In
our example, the cumulative frequency (cf) is 13.

4. Compute the numerical values using the formula.

5. Add the result of N-cfli to the lowest limit of the interval 2 fm In our example, the result is .88
multiplied by 3 which is the interval width. The result is 2.64. The Lowest Limit - 20.5 - is added to 2.64
The median obtained is 23.14.
The Mode of Ungrouped Scores

The mode is the score that occurs most frequently.

EXAMPLE: Find the mode of these ungrouped scores 34, 30, 45, 30, 33, 30, 50

The most frequent score in our example is 30. The score 30 occurs three times in the distribution.

The Mode of Grouped Scores

The mode of grouped scores can be calculated after the mean and the median have been computed.

Formula:

Mode = (3 x Median) - (2 x Mean)

In our previous examples using the same frequency distribution, the mean is 24.25 while the median is
23.14.

Using these data, let us compute the mode using the above formula.

Mode =

(3 x 23.14)

(2 x 24.25)

69.42 =

48.50

= 28.92

The Measures of Central Tendency in Different Distributions

1. Normal Distribution

A normal distribution is a symmetrical distribution. In a symmetrical stribution, one-half is exactly the

same as the other half. A normal stribution when illustrated looks like a bell. It uses a normal curve.

When the mean, median, and mode have same values, we have a normal distribution.

Mean = 50

Median = 50

Mode = 50

In this kind of distribution, half of the class (50%) performed well and the other half (50%) performed
poorly. The test is moderately difficult.

Positively Skewed Distribution

In a positively skewed distribution, there are more low scores than high scores. The test is very difficult
so that the class performed poorly it. A positively skewed distribution is an asymmetrical distribution. In
a positively skewed distribution, the mean has the largest value Followed by the median and the mode
in descending order.

Mean = 35

Median =34

Mode = 33

A Positively Skewed Distribution

3. Negatively Skewed Distribution

In a negatively skewed distribution, there are more high scores than low scores. The test is very easy so
that the class performed very well in it. A negatively skewed distribution is also an asymmetrical
distribution, the mode has the largest value followed by the median and the mean in descending order.

Mean = 33

Median = 34
Mode = 35

A Negatively Skewed Distribution

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. The measures of central tendency include the mean, median, and mode.

2. The mean is the average score of a certain distribution.

3. The median is the middle score in a certain distribution.

4. The mode is the most frequently occurring score in a certain distribution.

5. A positively skewed distribution is one where the mean has the largest value followed by the median
and the mode.

6. A negatively skewed distribution is one where the mode has the largest value followed by the median
and the mean.

7. A normal distribution is one where the mean, median, and mode have equal values.