If a data set has a mean of 10 and values {8,9,10,11,12}, what is the median?

If a data set has a mean of 10 and values {8,9,10,11,12}, what is the median?

• A. 9
• B. 11
• C. 10
• D. 12

Answer: (C)

The median is the middle value of a dataset when the numbers are arranged in order. With five numbers, the median is the value that sits in the middle of the ordered list. The set is already sorted as 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and the middle value there is 10. So the median is 10. It’s also nice to note that the mean given is 10, and in this symmetric-looking set the mean and median align. Therefore, the correct value is 10.

The median is the middle value of a dataset when the numbers are arranged in order. With five numbers, the median is the value that sits in the middle of the ordered list. The set is already sorted as 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and the middle value there is 10. So the median is 10. It’s also nice to note that the mean given is 10, and in this symmetric-looking set the mean and median align. Therefore, the correct value is 10.