Tercile vs. Tertile — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Tercile and tertile are variations of the same concept, both referring to dividing a distribution into three equal parts.
Difference Between Tercile and Tertile
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Terciles and tertiles are terms used in statistics to describe the division of data into three equal parts. Both are derived from the same concept and are often used interchangeably. A tercile or a tertile cuts a sorted data set into three pieces, each containing a third of the population being studied.
Tercile is a less commonly used term than tertile, but both indicate the same idea: the division of data into three distinct and equal parts. This statistical method is a way of understanding the distribution of a dataset, identifying the spread, and analyzing the dispersion of values.
Tertile might be slightly more common in usage than tercile, but both serve as tools for analysts to break down and categorize data. They help in comparing different subsets of a population or distribution. For instance, socioeconomic data can be split into tertiles to study income distribution.
There is no mathematical difference between tercile and tertile; the usage may vary by region or by academic preference. Some may choose 'tercile' to remain consistent with other 'cile' endings like quartile and percentile, while others opt for 'tertile' possibly due to linguistic preference.
Both terms are integral to descriptive statistics, as they provide a simple way to create comparative groups. Whether a dataset is split into terciles or tertiles, the outcome is the division of data into three parts, each representing a third of the observed values, which can then be analyzed for statistical significance.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Tercile
Tertile
Frequency of Use
Less common
More common
Concept
Divides data into three equal parts
Divides data into three equal parts
Etymology
Less frequently used variant
More frequently used variant
Application
Same as tertile – statistical division
Same as tercile – statistical division
Compare with Definitions
Tercile
A statistical division into thirds.
The tercile cut-points were 33rd and 66th percentiles.
Tertile
Equal segments in statistical data.
Distribution of the survey results showed an even tertile split.
Tercile
One of three equal groups.
Her score was in the top tercile of the class.
Tertile
One of the three resulting groups.
She was categorized in the first tertile for height.
Tercile
Segment of data in a tercile.
He analyzed the middle tercile separately for insights.
Tertile
Position in a tertile division.
His income is in the upper tertile of the distribution.
Tercile
Rank within a tercile.
The company's profits fell into the lowest tercile this quarter.
Tertile
A division of a ranked set into thirds.
The tertile analysis revealed a clear wealth gap.
Tercile
A third of a distribution.
The lowest tercile of the data contains the poorest performers.
Tertile
Grouping in a tertile range.
The test scores mostly fell into the second tertile.
Tercile
Alternative form of tertile.
Tertile
(statistics) Either of the two points that divide an ordered distribution into three parts, each containing a third of the population.
Tertile
(statistics) Any one of the three groups so divided.
The first tertile results include January through April's revenues.
Common Curiosities
What is the purpose of dividing data into terciles or tertiles?
To compare and understand different segments of the data.
Are tercile and tertile the same?
Yes, they both describe dividing data into three equal parts.
Do terciles and tertiles have to include the same number of data points?
Ideally, yes, but in practice, the number can vary slightly due to data distribution.
Can tercile and tertile be used interchangeably?
Yes, they can be, as they mean the same thing.
Is one term more correct than the other?
No, both are correct; usage may vary by preference.
How do you calculate a tercile or tertile?
By dividing the sorted data set so that each part has an equal number of observations.
Are tertiles the same as percentiles?
No, tertiles divide data into three parts, percentiles into a hundred.
What is the middle tertile or tercile?
It is the group of data ranking between the 34th and 66th percentiles.
What is an advantage of using tertiles?
They simplify complex data into understandable segments.
Is there a special formula for calculating a tertile?
No special formula, it involves ranking and dividing data into three equal parts.
Where are terciles and tertiles used?
In statistics to analyze and describe data distributions.
Are tertiles and quartiles the same?
No, tertiles divide data into three parts; quartiles into four.
Can tercile or tertile divisions be used for all types of data?
They are best used for continuous data that can be ranked.
What statistical software can calculate terciles and tertiles?
Most statistical software has the capability, like SPSS, R, or Excel.
Can terciles be used in non-ordinal data?
No, terciles require ordinal data that can be ranked.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
