Question

question 36 points 2

which is the best measure of central tendency if there are outliers in the data?

mean

median

Explanation:

Define measures of center

Using the Measures of Center knowledge point:

• Mean: The arithmetic average, calculated by summing all values and dividing by the total count.
• Median: The middle value when data is ordered from least to greatest.

Analyze the impact of outliers

Using the Outlier Effects knowledge point:

• Outliers are extreme values that differ significantly from the rest of the dataset.
• The mean is highly sensitive to outliers because every value is included in its calculation.
• The median is resistant to outliers because it depends only on the relative order of the data points.

Determine the best measure

Using the Measures of Center and Outlier Effects knowledge points:

• When outliers are present, the mean is pulled toward the extreme values, misrepresenting the center.
• The median remains unaffected by extreme values, making it the most reliable measure of central tendency.

Answer:

• Mean
• Median (Correct answer)