Median of Three Numbers

In statistics, the median is the middle value of the set of data after the arrangement of ascending or descending order. If the total of elements in a set is even, median is arithmetic mean of two middle numbers (n and n+1). Divide total number of elements by 2 to get n. In this lesson we will discuss about how to find the median of three numbers.

Median of Three Numbers – Example Problems

Example 1: In a class 3 students’ marks as follows 76, 71, and 65. Find the median of given data.

Solution:

Arrange the numbers in ascending order {65, 71, 76}

Median:

{65, 71, 76}

Total number of elements in a data set is 3 which is an odd number. So find the middle value which is the median.

Here, 71 is the middle value.

Therefore 71 is the median.

Example 2: Find the median of three numbers 69, 72, and 87.

Solution:

Arrange the numbers in ascending order {69, 72, 87}

Median:

{69, 72, 87}

Total number of elements in a data set is 3 which is an odd number. So find the middle value.

Here 72 is the middle value.

Therefore median of given three numbers is 72.

Example 3: Three students’ height in a class as follows 158, 178, and 184. What is the median?

Solution:

Arrange the numbers in ascending order {158, 178, 184}.

Median:

{158, 178, 184}

Total number of elements in a data set is 3 which is an odd number. So find the middle value.

Here, 178 is the middle value.

Therefore 178 is the median.

Example 4: Three students’ weight in a class as follows 88, 75, and 84. What is the median?

Solution:

Arrange the numbers in ascending order {75, 84, 88}.

Median:

{75, 84, 88}


Total number of elements in a data set is 3 which is an odd number. So find the middle value.

Here, 84 is the middle value.

Therefore 84 is the median.

Median of Three Numbers – Practice Problems

Problem 1: Find the median of three numbers 145, 78, and 256.

Problem 2: Three students’ height in a class as follows 192, 178, and 182. Find the median.

Answer: 1) 145 2) 178