Page 206 - DSOC404_METHODOLOGY_OF_SOCIAL_RESEARCH_ENGLISH

Methodology of Social Research

note if in a particular series the number of elements is considered as n, then the formula for median will
be like this-
a. if n is an even number than
n + 1
Median Me = th
2
b. if n is a odd number than
1 n  n  

Median Me = th +   + 1 th 

22   2  
Example 8 Calculate the median of the marks obtained by 9 students in a given
examination-
25, 15, 23, 40, 27, 25, 23, 25, 20

solution: To calculate the median from the above formula it is necessary to first arrange the series in
ascending order. it will done so when the series contains odd number of elements. After arranging
the elements in ascending order the series will be such that-

sr. no. Values of elements
1 15
2 20
3 23
4 23
5 25
6 25
7 25
8 27
9 40
n = 9
Because here the number of elements is odd i.e. 9, therefore we will use this formula for median-
n + 1
Me = Value of th position
2
91
+
= Value of th position
2
10
= Value of th position = value of 5th position
2
means 25
Median Me = 25
Median of Discrete series
to calculate the median of discrete series, the formula used is same as that of simple series. in other
n + 1
words the value of Me = th element. In this we need to find out the cumulative frequency to find
2
the number of elements (n). this statement will be more clear from the below example-

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