MEDIAN
StatisticalbeginnerMEDIAN finds the center of a numeric distribution after the values are sorted. If there is an even number of values, it averages the two middle numbers. It's especially useful when a few unusually high or low values would distort a normal average.
Syntax
Excel:
=MEDIAN(number1, [number2], ...)Google Sheets: Same syntax
Parameters
number1The first number, cell reference, or range.number2?Additional numbers or ranges.? = optional parameter
Worked Example
You want the midpoint salary for a six-person Finance cohort.
| Row numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Header row | employee | salary |
| 2 | A | $92,100 |
| 3 | B | $94,800 |
| 4 | C | $96,500 |
| 5 | D | $98,200 |
| 6 | E | $101,400 |
| 7 | F | $103,900 |
Formula
=MEDIAN(B2:B7)Result
$97,350.00MEDIAN looks at the six salary values in B2 through B7. With an even number of values, it averages the two middle salaries, B4 and B5 after sorting, to return $97,350.00.
No exercises yet for this formula.