Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Practice Exam

Define "mean, median, and mode."

1. Mean is the middle value, median is the average, mode is the least frequent

2. Mean is the average, median is the middle value, mode is the most frequently occurring value

3. Mean is the sum of all values, median is the highest value, mode is the lowest

4. Mean is the most frequent, median is the average, mode is the sum

The correct answer is: Mean is the average, median is the middle value, mode is the most frequently occurring value

The definition provided in the correct choice accurately characterizes the terms mean, median, and mode in a statistical context. The mean is defined as the average, which is calculated by summing all values in a data set and then dividing by the number of values. This measure gives a sense of the central tendency of the data. The median represents the middle value in an ordered data set, effectively splitting the data into two equal halves. When the data set is arranged from the smallest to the largest value, the median is the value that separates the higher half from the lower half, making it a robust measure of central tendency that is less affected by outliers. The mode refers to the most frequently occurring value within a data set. It highlights the value that appears most often, which can be particularly useful in understanding the commonalities in a distribution of values. This comprehensive definition illustrates the unique characteristics and applications of each measure of central tendency, emphasizing their distinct roles in statistical analysis.