Comparing central tendency measures
Comparing central tendency measures means deciding whether mean, median, or mode best describes a data set for a given situation.
Practice This ConceptMain explanation
Teacher explanation
Each measure has a different use. Mean is useful when data is balanced and every value should contribute. Median is useful when extreme values may distort the average. Mode is useful when we want the most common value. Good exam answers compare the situation before choosing the measure.
Example
For income data with one very large value, the median may describe the centre better than the mean.
Simple analogy
Mean for balance, median for extremes, mode for popularity.
Common confusion
Students often pick the mean for every data set without checking whether the data has extreme values.
Exam tip
Read the situation first: balanced data often suits mean, skewed data often suits median, and most common item questions often suit mode.
Answer writing and exam use
1-mark use
Write the exact meaning of comparing central tendency measures in one clean line.
2-mark use
Define comparing central tendency measures and add one example or condition.
3-mark use
Explain comparing central tendency measures, show the method or example, and mention the common mistake.
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