Question

Look at this set of 6 numbers:
87 87 44 44 48 44
Which value would change the most if the number 80 were added to the set?
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Mode

Answer 1

Compute each measure before and after adding 80.

Original set sorted: 44, 44, 44, 48, 87, 87
- Mean = (44+44+44+48+87+87)/6 = 354/6 = 59
- Median = average of 3rd and 4th = (44+48)/2 = 46
- Mode = 44

With 80 added: 44, 44, 44, 48, 80, 87, 87
- Mean = (354+80)/7 = 434/7 = 62
- Median = 4th value = 48
- Mode = 44

Changes: mean: +3, median: +2, mode: 0. So the mean changes the most.

Answer: A. Mean