The nice thing about averages is they reduce a lot of numbers down to one. The challenge with averages is they can be calculated in three different ways—and that one number reported may not represent what people think unless they know to ask if they are looking at the mean, median, or mode.
In this activity, you will work to review how to calculate mean, median, and mode for a series of numbers and then explore ways that claims supported by averages can be reported to give readers a false impression about what the numbers mean.
Mean, Median, and Mode Handout
- Download a copy of this file.
- Rename it using the format provided by your teacher and Save it.
- Close the Download window.
- Record your work in this file.
Example Online Resources
Here is a list of a few of the kinds on online resources that might be helpful in your research.
- Ask Dr. Math: Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
- A Crash Course on Mean, Median, and Mode
- Mean, Median, Mode
- Mean, Median, and Mode Calculator
- How do People Use Mode, Mean, & Average Every Day?