← VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

The MEDIAN function

Returns the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30 once ordered. With an even count it averages the middle two. You do not need to sort the cells first.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 18, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 81, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 24, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 32, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 14

Understanding The MEDIAN function in VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What it does: MEDIAN orders the numbers internally, so the cells can stay in their original order. With 5 numbers there is a single middle value, the 3rd one when ordered, so MEDIAN returns it directly. Ordered, the values are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9. The middle one is 5. 7 is just the fourth number typed in. Every formula must start with =. Without it, the spreadsheet treats the entry as plain text. MEDIAN finds the middle number of the range, which makes it a good measure of the centre of a data set. Spreadsheet functions need brackets around their arguments, so the range must be written inside ( ).

Common mistakes: The function name is misspelt. The spreadsheet does not recognise MEDAIN. It should be =MEDIAN(A2:A4), which returns 7. The list is not in order. Sorted from smallest to largest it is 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, so the middle value is 5.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 4–20) and word search (Modules 4–34).

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Learning
Duo
Which formula finds the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30?
=MEDIAN(B2:B30)=MIDDLE(B2:B30)
Matches
=MEDIAN B2:B30
↓
The range is not in brackets. The function needs =MEDIAN(B2:B30).
Applying
Meanings
Term
=MEDIAN(B2:B30)
Meaning
Returns the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30 once ordered. With an even count it averages the middle two. You do not need to sort the cells first.
Practice
=MEDIAN(B2:B30)
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:B30)
Check Answer
Spots
3A4: 7
4B1: =MEDAIN(A2:A4)

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Quick Questions

1. Which formula finds the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30?
A. =MEDIAN(B2:B30) ✓
B. =MIDDLE(B2:B30)
MEDIAN is the spreadsheet function that returns the middle value of a range. There is no MIDDLE function.
2. A range holds 5, 9, 2, 7, 4 (5 values). What does =MEDIAN return?
A. 7
B. 5 ✓
Ordered, the values are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9. The middle one is 5. 7 is just the fourth number typed in.
3. A range holds 2, 4, 6, 10 (4 values). What does =MEDIAN return?
A. 5 ✓
B. 6
With an even number of values, MEDIAN averages the middle two: (4 + 6) / 2 = 5.
4. Do you need to sort the cells before using =MEDIAN?
A. No, MEDIAN orders the numbers itself ✓
B. Yes, the cells must be sorted first
MEDIAN works on the values in any order. You do not need to sort the cells first.
5. A range has 9 numbers. How does MEDIAN choose its result?
A. It averages the two middle values
B. It returns the 5th value once ordered ✓
An odd count has one exact middle value, here the 5th. Averaging the middle two only happens when the count is even.

Match the Pairs

=MEDIAN(B2:B30) → Returns the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30 once they are in order
=MEDIAN(C2:C11) → With 10 values, returns the mean of the 5th and 6th values when ordered
Find the median of the marks in D2:D20 without sorting the cells first → =MEDIAN(D2:D20)
With an odd number of values (such as 5 numbers in A1:A5), the median is the exact middle value → =MEDIAN(A1:A5)
=MEDIAN B2:B30 → The range is not in brackets. The function needs =MEDIAN(B2:B30).
=MEDIAN(B2:B30) after sorting is required → The student thinks the cells must be sorted first, but MEDIAN orders the values itself, so no sorting is needed.

Key Term

=MEDIAN(B2:B30)
Returns the middle value of the numbers in B2:B30 once ordered. With an even count it averages the middle two. You do not need to sort the cells first.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =MEDIAN(B2:B30)
Hint: Type the function name that returns the middle value of a range
2. =MEDIAN(B2:B30)
Hint: Type the range of cells from B2 down to B30
3. =MEDIAN(C2:C20)
Hint: Type the row number that ends the range
4. =MEDIAN(D2:D12)
Hint: Type the function that finds the middle value, even if the cells are not sorted
5. =MEDIAN(A1:A6)
Hint: Type the range covering six values, where the middle two are averaged

Spot the Error

Question 1
A A2: 5
B A3: 9
C A4: 7
D B1: =MEDAIN(A2:A4)
Line D — The function name is misspelt. The spreadsheet does not recognise MEDAIN. It should be =MEDIAN(A2:A4), which returns 7.
Question 2
A Values: 8, 3, 5, 9, 1
B Sorted: 1, 3, 8, 5, 9
C Middle value: 5
D =MEDIAN(A2:A6) returns 5
Line B — The list is not in order. Sorted from smallest to largest it is 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, so the middle value is 5.
Question 3
A MEDIAN(B2:B5)
B B2:B5 holds 2, 4, 6, 10
C Middle two values: 4 and 6
D Result: (4 + 6) / 2 = 5
Line A — A formula must start with =. Without it the spreadsheet treats the entry as plain text. It should be =MEDIAN(B2:B5).
Question 4
A Marks in B2:B6: 7, 3, 9, 5, 6
B No need to sort the cells first
C =MEDIAN(B2:B6
D Result: 6
Line C — The closing bracket is missing. The function call must end with ), so it should be =MEDIAN(B2:B6).
Question 5
A Scores in C2:C8 are unsorted
B =AVERAGE(C2:C8)
C Excel orders them itself
D Result is the middle value
Line B — AVERAGE finds the mean, not the middle value. To get the median the formula should be =MEDIAN(C2:C8).

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