Median Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the median calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Median (middle value)
median_val = v3Mean (for comparison)
mean_val = (v1 + v2 + v3 + v4 + v5) / 5Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
v1 | Value 1 (smallest) | 3 |
v2 | Value 2 | 7 |
v3 | Value 3 (middle) | 9 |
v4 | Value 4 | 15 |
v5 | Value 5 (largest) | 22 |
How It Works
How to Find the Median
Steps
1. Sort all values from least to greatest 2. If n is odd, the median is the value at position (n+1)/2 3. If n is even, the median is the average of the two middle values
The median splits the dataset so that half the values lie below it and half above it. Unlike the mean, the median is resistant to outliers.
Worked Example
Find the median of the sorted values 3, 7, 9, 15, 22.
v1 = 3v2 = 7v3 = 9v4 = 15v5 = 22
- 01Values already sorted: 3, 7, 9, 15, 22
- 02n = 5 (odd), so median position = (5+1)/2 = 3rd value
- 03Median = 9
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Median Calculator