Question

which measure is most appropriate to describe the center of the data in the stem - and - leaf plot below?
pounds of food collected
0|5 6
1|0 2 3 3 4
2|1 9
3|
4|2
5|1
interquartile range
median

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the data distribution

The data set has some extreme values (like 42 and 51). The mean is sensitive to extreme values. The median is less affected by extreme values.

Step2: Recall the purpose of measures

The inter - quartile range (IQR) is a measure of spread, not a measure of the center. The median is a measure of the center.

Answer:

median