Use the stem-and-leaf plot below to answer questions 1–3.
stem-and-leaf plot
The stem-and-leaf plot consists of five rows of numbers. A single vertical line separates the first and second columns. The stem in row 1 is 5; the leaves in row 1 are 4 and 5. The stem in row 2 is 6; the leaves in row 2 are 0, 6, and 9. The stem in row 3 is 7; the leaves in row 3 are 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5. The stem in row 4 is 8; the leaves in row 4 are 1, 2, 8, and 9. The stem in row 5 is 9; the leaves in row 5 are 5 and 6.
A key in the corner reads 5 line 4 equals 54.
What is the median of the data?
A. 64.5
B. 72.5
C. 74.5
D. 75
1 answer
To find the median, we need to find the middle value in the dataset. Since there are 15 numbers total, the median will be the average of the 8th and 9th numbers when the numbers are listed in order. Ordering the numbers in the stem-and-leaf plot, we get: 54, 55, 60, 66, 69, 72, 72, 73, 74, 75, 81, 82, 88, 89, 95. The 8th and 9th numbers are both 74, so the median is (74 + 74)/2 = 74. Therefore, the answer is C. 74.5.