How do you find the median of a set of numbers?

Finding the median of a set of numbers involves arranging the numbers in order from smallest to largest and then identifying the middle value. The median represents the point at which half of the values lie below it and half lie above it, making it a measure of central tendency that effectively reflects the middle of a data set.

For an odd number of values, the median is simply the value that lies in the middle of the sorted list. In a data set with an even number of values, the median is calculated by averaging the two middle numbers. This method ensures that the median is not influenced by extreme values, making it particularly useful for skewed distributions.

The other options do not align with the definition of median. Adding the numbers together gives the sum, which does not represent the central value. Finding the average of the highest and lowest values results in a number that may not represent the actual middle of the data set. Selecting the largest number provides the maximum value, which does not relate to central tendencies at all. Thus, the correct approach to determine the median is clearly described by arranging the numbers in order and selecting the middle value.