Question

Mean and Median are two representative measures for identifying central location. What are the pros and cons of using these two measures? Which one is more vulnerable to outliers and why?

Answer 1

Mean --

The mean is the arithmetic average of values of a distribution. it is most popular measure for central tendancy.

pros --- it uses all the data

it is useful for comparing sets of data

cons------ sensitive to outlier or skewed data

Median-------------Median is the value which occupies the middle position when all the observations are sorted.

pros----------- not distorted by outlier

It can be determined for ratio, interval, and ordinal scale.

cons---------------

it cannot be used for pooled groups

median is not amenable to further mathematical calculation so cannot be used in tests..

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MEAN is more vulnerable to outlier beacause , it has a tendency to be pulled towards outlier value

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