SAT
Compare the median values of two lists.
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Odd number of values
3 values. The median is the 2nd value.
5 values. The median is the 3rd value.
7 values. The median is the 4th value.
2, 4, 5, 7, 9
The median is 5.
Even number of values
4 values. The median is the average of the 2nd and 3rd values.
6 values. The median is the average of the 3rd and 4th values.
1, 3, 6, 8
Find the average (add the values/2).
3 + 62
92
Compare the two medians
Find each median, then compare the two values.
A. The median of list A is greater than the median of list B.
B. The median of list B is greater than the median of list A.
C. The medians are the same.
D. Not enough information to determine.
The odd list above has median 5. The even list above has median 92.
5 is greater than 92.
Work these three in a session.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 5, 8, 11, 14
List B: 3, 6, 9, 13, 17
List A: 5, 8, 11, 14
Find the average (add the values/2).
8 + 112
List A Median: 192 = 9.5
List B: 3, 6, 9, 13, 17
List B Median: 9
Answer: A. The median of list A is greater than the median of list B.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 2, 6, 10, 14, 19
List B: 4, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18
List A: 2, 6, 10, 14, 19
List A Median: 10
List B: 4, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18
Find the average (add the values/2).
9 + 122
List B Median: 212 = 10.5
Answer: B. The median of list B is greater than the median of list A.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 2, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16
List B: 4, 9, 15
List A: 2, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16
Find the average (add the values/2).
7 + 112
List A Median: 182 = 9
List B: 4, 9, 15
List B Median: 9
Answer: C. The medians are the same.
Try these five on your own.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 22
List B: 7, 12, 15, 19
List A: 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 22
List A Median: 14
List B: 7, 12, 15, 19
Find the average (add the values/2).
12 + 152
List B Median: 272 = 13.5
Answer: A. The median of list A is greater than the median of list B.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 8, 14, 17, 22
List B: 5, 9, 12, 16, 18, 20, 25
List A: 8, 14, 17, 22
Find the average (add the values/2).
14 + 172
List A Median: 312 = 15.5
List B: 5, 9, 12, 16, 18, 20, 25
List B Median: 16
Answer: B. The median of list B is greater than the median of list A.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 8, 13, 19
List B: 4, 9, 11, 15, 18, 23
List A: 8, 13, 19
List A Median: 13
List B: 4, 9, 11, 15, 18, 23
Find the average (add the values/2).
11 + 152
List B Median: 262 = 13
Answer: C. The medians are the same.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 3, 7, 9, 14, 18, 22
List B: 4, 7, 11, 16, 20
List A: 3, 7, 9, 14, 18, 22
Find the average (add the values/2).
9 + 142
List A Median: 232 = 11.5
List B: 4, 7, 11, 16, 20
List B Median: 11
Answer: A. The median of list A is greater than the median of list B.
Compare the median values of the two lists.
List A: 7, 9, 12, 16, 18
List B: 5, 9, 16, 20
List A: 7, 9, 12, 16, 18
List A Median: 12
List B: 5, 9, 16, 20
Find the average (add the values/2).
9 + 162
List B Median: 252 = 12.5
Answer: B. The median of list B is greater than the median of list A.
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