16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasyMedian of an unordered list

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

Seven runners recorded the following times, in minutes, for a race: 33, 29, 41, 37, 30, 45, 36. What is the median time, in minutes?

Answer: 36

Put the times in order: 29, 30, 33, 36, 37, 41, 45. With seven values, the median is the fourth: 36.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 16
16 is the range (45 − 29), not the median.
If you answered 37
37 is the fourth value in the ORIGINAL order. Sort the list first.
If you answered 35.9
35.9 is the mean (251/7 ≈ 35.9), not the median.

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