How to Use Mean, Median & Mode on a Calculator

Used in algebra and statistics, the mean, median and mode are used to capture and understand important information. Often equations will ask for the mean, median and mode to be found by using the term "measures of central tendency." Solving for the measures of central tendency requires knowing what the mean, median and mode represent. The mean is the average, or most frequent number to appear within an equation; the median represents the single middle number, or the mean of the middle two values; and the mode is the value which appears the most. Solving for the measures of central tendency can be conducted using either a basic calculator, or a T1 calculator.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator/ T1
Show More

Instructions

  1. Finding The Mean: Standard Calculator

    • 1

      Arrange given data from the lowest to largest set of numbers.

    • 2

      Add all of the numbers together, including repeats, to find the sum of data.

    • 3

      Count all data entries, including repeat numbers, to find the number of data.

    • 4

      Divide the sum of data by the number of data to find the mean.

    Finding The Median: Standard Calculator

    • 5

      Arrange given data in order from the lowest to largest number.

    • 6

      Count the data numbers to find how many data entries there are.

    • 7

      Determine the middle number. This is the median. If there are two numbers that fall in the middle, add the two numbers together and divide by two to achieve an average median number.

    Finding The Mode: Standard Calculator

    • 8

      Arrange given data in order from the lowest to largest number.

    • 9

      Count which number or numbers appears most often. This is this mode.

    • 10

      It is possible to have all numbers be the mode, if all data is presented the same number of times. If this occurs, depending on what the equation states, either put "0" or the full number of all unique data entries.

    Finding Mean, Median, Mode Using A TI-89 Calculator

    • 11

      Press the "Apps" button, and cross to "Stats/List Editor". Press "Enter." Tap "F1", then scroll down to option number 8 to clear previous data in the list editor.

    • 12

      Highlight the "1" representing the first column, and begin entering all numbers, including repeats. Press "Enter" after each number for the data to be compiled in the list. Observe the list, making sure all numbers are added, then press "F4" and "Enter."

    • 13

      Locate the first row of answers the T1 provides. The first answer provided, an X with a bar overhead, is the statistical sign for mean.

    • 14

      Scroll down halfway through, pressing the down arrow until "MedX" appears. The number provided across from "MedX" is the median.

    • 15

      Press "Enter" to return to the previous screen, the list editor. Input "F3," "2" and then "Enter." The list will appear in ascending order. Count through the list to find which numbers appear the most, and that number, or those numbers, will be the equations mode.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved