How do you find the median in the data set: 5, 7, 8, 8, 10, 12?

To find the median of a data set, it is essential first to recognize that the median is the value that separates the higher half from the lower half of the data set when it is ordered from smallest to largest.

In the provided data set: 5, 7, 8, 8, 10, 12, there are six numbers, which is an even quantity. When there is an even number of observations, the median is calculated by taking the average of the two middle numbers.

In this case, the middle numbers are the third and fourth numbers in the sorted list, which are both 8 and 10. Therefore, to find the median, you take these two middle values and calculate their average:

(8 + 10) / 2 = 18 / 2 = 9.

This is why the option regarding (8 + 10) / 2 points to the correct calculation of the median in an even data set. It succinctly identifies that the correct average is being computed to find the median, demonstrating an understanding of how to handle an even-numbered list in median calculations.