Mean vs. Median — What's the Difference?

The mean represents the central point in a data set.

The median is the middle number of a sorted list of numbers.

The mean is sensitive to extreme values in the dataset.

The median provides a robust measure of central tendency for skewed distributions.

There are several kinds of mean in mathematics, especially in statistics: For a data set, the arithmetic mean, also known as average or arithmetic average, is a central value of a finite set of numbers: specifically, the sum of the values divided by the number of values. The arithmetic mean of a set of numbers x1, x2, ..., xn is typically denoted by x ¯ {\displaystyle {\bar {x}}} .

In statistics and probability theory, the median is the value separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample, a population, or a probability distribution. For a data set, it may be thought of as "the middle" value.

Intend to convey or refer to (a particular thing); signify

Relating to, located in, or extending toward the middle.

Intend (something) to occur or be the case

(Anatomy) Of, relating to, or situated in or near the plane that divides a bilaterally symmetrical animal into right and left halves; mesial.

Have as a consequence or result

(Statistics) Relating to or constituting the middle value in a distribution.

Unwilling to give or share things, especially money; not generous

A median point, plane, line, or part.

Unkind, spiteful, or unfair

The dividing area, either paved or landscaped, between opposing lanes of traffic on some highways. Also called regionally boulevard, mall, median strip, meridian, neutral ground.

(especially of a place) poor in quality and appearance; shabby

(Statistics) The middle value in a distribution, above and below which lie an equal number of values.

Very skilful or effective; excellent

A line that joins a vertex of a triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side.

(of a quantity) calculated as a mean; average

The line that joins the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid.

Equally far from two extremes

A central vein or nerve, especially the median vein or median nerve running through the forearm and arm.

The value obtained by dividing the sum of several quantities by their number; an average

(geometry) A line segment joining the vertex of triangle to the midpoint of the opposing side.

A condition, quality, or course of action equally removed from two opposite extremes

(statistics) A number separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample, population, or probability distribution. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one (e.g., the median of {3, 3, 5, 9, 11} is 5). If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values.

To be used to convey; denote

(US) The area separating two lanes of opposite-direction traffic; the median strip.

To act as a symbol of; signify or represent

(anatomy) Situated in a middle, central, or intermediate part, section, or range of (something).

To intend to convey or indicate

In the middle of an organ, structure etc.; towards the median plane of an organ or limb.

To have as a purpose or an intention; intend

(statistics) Having the median as its value.

To design, intend, or destine for a certain purpose or end

Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a median groove.

To have as a consequence; bring about

Situated in the middle; lying in a plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and left halves; - said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median coverts.

To have the importance or value of

A median line or point.

To have intentions of a specified kind; be disposed

The value below which 50% of the cases fall

Lacking in kindness; unkind

Relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in an even-numbered set);

Cruel, spiteful, or malicious

Dividing an animal into right and left halves

Expressing spite or malice

Relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle

Tending toward or characterized by cruelty or violence

The median divides a data set into two equal halves.

Extremely unpleasant or disagreeable

The median is not affected by extremely high or low values.

Ignoble; base

The median is more reliable for ordinal data.

Occupying a middle or intermediate position between two extremes.

Intermediate in size, extent, quality, time, or degree; medium.

Something having a position, quality, or condition midway between extremes; a medium.

A number that typifies a set of numbers, such as a geometric mean or an arithmetic mean.

The average value of a set of numbers.

(Logic) The middle term in a syllogism.

Means (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved.

Money, property, or other wealth

Great wealth

To intend.

(transitive) To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.

(intransitive) To have as intentions of a given kind.

To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.

(transitive) To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation.[https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/i_mean%20I%20mean]

To convey (a meaning).

(transitive) To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea).

(transitive) Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.

(transitive) Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude.

(transitive) To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says).

(transitive) To cause or produce (a given result); to bring about (a given result).

(usually with to) To be of some level of importance.

To lament.

(obsolete) Common; general.

Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble.

Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.

Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base.

Of little value or worth; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.

Ungenerous; stingy; tight-fisted.

Disobliging; pettily offensive or unaccommodating.

Intending to cause harm, successfully or otherwise; bearing ill will towards another.

Powerful; fierce; strong.

(colloquial) Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with.

Difficult, tricky.

Having the mean (see noun below) as its value; average.

(obsolete) Middling; intermediate; moderately good, tolerable.

A method or course of action used to achieve some result.

An intermediate step or intermediate steps.

Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium.

The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument.

(statistics) The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean.

(mathematics) Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency.

(mathematics) Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6.

To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do?

To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.

To have a purpose or intention.

Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble.

Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.

Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.

Of poor quality; as, mean fare.

Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.

Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes.

Intermediate in excellence of any kind.

Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day.

That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure.

A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the nth root of the product of the n quantities being averaged.

That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.

Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.

A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.

Meantime; meanwhile.

A mediator; a go-between.

An average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n

Mean or intend to express or convey;

Have as a logical consequence;

Denote or connote;

Have in mind as a purpose;

Have a specified degree of importance;

Intend to refer to;

Destine or designate for a certain purpose;

Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;

Characterized by malice;

Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;

Excellent;

Marked by poverty befitting a beggar;

Used of persons or behavior; characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity;

Used of sums of money; so small in amount as to deserve contempt

The mean is the arithmetic average of a set of numbers.

The mean is calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.

The mean is suitable for interval and ratio data.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory; ROM stands for Read-Only Memory.

RAM is designed for swift read/write operations, whereas ROM speed isn't a priority since it's primarily accessed during boot-up.

The system will crash because RAM holds the active processes and data.

ROM stores firmware or boot-up software, like BIOS in computers.

Typically, data in ROM is read-only, but certain ROM types can be updated with specific processes.

RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.

ROM stores crucial software that initializes the system during startup.

RAM is typically upgradeable, while ROM isn't usually upgradeable.

Yes, more RAM often enhances multitasking and overall system responsiveness.

It's lost, as RAM is volatile.

Yes, smartphones use RAM for processing and ROM for permanent storage like the OS.

Most ROM is read-only, but there are types, like EEPROM, that can be rewritten under specific conditions.

The device might fail to boot up or operate correctly because ROM contains essential startup instructions.

ROM is slower and isn't designed for frequent data read/write operations like RAM.

No, RAM is essential for a computer to process data.