All SAT II Math I Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
The interquartile range is the difference in value between the upper quartile and lower quartile.
Find the interquartile range for the data set.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
As always, rearranging the data set helps us immensely:
-->
To find , we use the equation , where is the number of points in our data set.
, so our lower quartile is the number in the set, or .
To find , we use the equation instead.
, so our upper quartile is the number in the set, or .
Lastly, our interquartile range is , so is our interquartile range.
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
The interquartile range is the difference in value between the upper quartile and lower quartile.
Find the interquartile range of the following data set:
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
The first step (as with most data set problems) is to rearrange the data set from least to greatest value:
To find the lower quartile ()'s position, we use the equation , where n is the number of data points in the set.
Thus, our lower quartile is at position. Since this is a non-integer, we must include a further equation.
Since our 3rd number is 2, and our 4th number is 3, we need to find 1/4 of the way between 2 and 3. We will use the equation
, where is our lower value, is our upper value, and is the fractional distance between them we need to find. Since is here, our equation becomes
Thus, our
We can repeat the process above to find the upper quartile (), but we must multiply our original equation by 3. Thus, our equation becomes
, where is still the number of data points in the set. will be at the
position, so we must find the value of the way between the and data point in the set. With and as our values for the and data point, our equation becomes
So, our .
The last step is easy by comparison. Subtract from to get our interquartile range:
Thus, our interquartile range is .
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Using the data provided above, what is the interquartile range (IQR)?
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
To find the IQR, we first must find the and , because .
In data sets, is defined as the median of the top half of the data and is defined as the median of the bottom half of the data. In a previous problem, we placed the data pieces in numerical order:
,
and found to be the median or center of the data:
.
Our upper half of our data set, the numbers above our median, now consists of . The median, or middle number, of this upper half is , our . The lower half of data, numbers below our median, is , with being our median, .
We now have our and our .
Thus our
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Using the data above, what is the interquartile range?
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
To find the IQR, we first must find the and , because .
In data sets, is defined as the median of the top half of data and is defined as the median of the bottom half of the data.
In a previous problem, we placed the data pieces in numerical order:
and found to be the median or center of the data:
.
Our upper half of our data set, the numbers above our median, now consists of . The median, or middle number, of this upper half is , our . The lower half of data, numbers below our median, is with being our median, .
We now have our and our .
Thus our . Note that although we have an outlier of , our . Therefore, we can observe that an outlier's effect on a data set is not very strong when finding the interquartile range.
Example Question #2 : How To Find Interquartile Range
, , Median , Highest value is , Lowest value is .
Using the data provided, find the Interquartile range, IQR.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
The data set provided is called a five number summary.
These data values allow us to find the median, IQR, and range.
This question is asking for the IQR which is , which is .
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Using the data above, find the interquartile range.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
The Interquartile range, or IQR, is defined as the .
The first step is the find the median of the data set, which in this case is . This number is what cuts the data set into two smaller sets, an upper quartile and lower quartile.
is the median of the upper quartile, while is the median of the lower quartile.
For the upper quartile, if placed in numerical order
we see that there is an even number, thus we must take the center two numbers and find the average to find the true center of this data set, giving us
, so our
.
We do the same for the lower quartile, giving us a
.
When we subtract from we end up with as our IQR.
Example Question #1 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Using the data above, find the IQR. (interquartile range)
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
To find the IQR, we must first find the and .
The is the median of the upper quartile, the numbers above the median:
,
thus the is
is the median of the lower quartile:
,
thus the is .
So, .
Example Question #10 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Find the interquartile range of the data set above.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
When asked to find the IQR of a set of data, we must first put the numbers in numerical order:
.
Now we need to divide the data set into the upper quartile and lower quartile, we do so by finding the mean which is the center value of the data set.
In this data set, our median is .
This means that our upper quartile consists of .
So our =, the median of the upper quartile.
Our = , given that its the median of the lower quartile.
Thus, our IQR is .
Example Question #11 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Find the interquartile range given the data set above.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
When asked to find the IQR of a set of data, we must first put the numbers in numerical order:
.
Now we need to divide the data set into the upper quartile and lower quartile, we do so by finding the median which is the center value of the data set.
In this data set, our median is .
This means that our upper quartile consists of .
So our =, the median of the upper quartile.
Our = , given that its the median of the lower quartile.
Thus, our IQR is .
Example Question #12 : How To Find Interquartile Range
Using the data set above, find the interquartile range.
How do you find the interquartile range?
We can find the interquartile range or IQR in four simple steps:
- Order the data from least to greatest
- Find the median
- Calculate the median of both the lower and upper half of the data
- The IQR is the difference between the upper and lower medians
Step 1: Order the data
In order to calculate the IQR, we need to begin by ordering the values of the data set from the least to the greatest. Likewise, in order to calculate the median, we need to arrange the numbers in ascending order (i.e. from the least to the greatest).
Let's sort an example data set with an odd number of values into ascending order.
Now, let's perform this task with another example data set that is comprised of an even number of values.
Rearrange into ascending order.
Step 2: Calculate the median
Next, we need to calculate the median. The median is the "center" of the data. If the data set has an odd number of data points, then the mean is the centermost number. On the other hand, if the data set has an even number of values, then we will need to take the arithmetic average of the two centermost values. We will calculate this average by adding the two numbers together and then dividing that number by two.
First, we will find the median of a set with an odd number of values. Cross out values until you find the centermost point
The median of the odd valued data set is four.
Now, let's find the mean of the data set with an even number of values. Cross out values until you find the two centermost points and then calculate the average the two values.
Find the average of the two centermost values.
The median of the even valued set is four.
Step 3: Upper and lower medians
Once we have found the median of the entire set, we can find the medians of the upper and lower portions of the data. If the data set has an odd number of values, we will omit the median or centermost value of the set. Afterwards, we will find the individual medians for the upper and lower portions of the data.
Omit the centermost value.
Find the median of the lower portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the lower portion is
Find the median of the upper portion.
Calculate the average of the two values.
The median of the upper potion is
If the data set has an even number of values, we will use the two values used to calculate the original median to divide the data set. These values are not omitted and become the largest value of the lower data set and the lowest values of the upper data set, respectively. Afterwards, we will calculate the medians of both the upper and lower portions.
Find the median of the lower portion.
The median of the lower portion is two.
Find the median of the upper portion.
The median of the upper portion is eight.
Step 4: Calculate the difference
Last, we need to calculate the difference of the upper and lower medians by subtracting the lower median from the upper median. This value equals the IQR.
Let's find the IQR of the odd data set.
Finally, we will find the IQR of the even data set.
In order to better illustrate these values, their positions in a box plot have been labeled in the provided image.
Now that we have solved a few examples, let's use this knowledge to solve the given problem.
Solution:
When asked to find the IQR of a set of data, we must first put the numbers in numerical order:
.
Now we need to divide the data set into the upper quartile and lower quartile, we do so by finding the median which is the center value of the data set.
In this data set, our median is .
This means that our upper quartile consists of .
So our =, the median of the upper quartile.
Our = , given that its the median of the lower quartile.
Thus, our IQR is .
Certified Tutor