Question

Compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of mean, median and mode as measures of central tendency?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Mean = Sum of all values / number of values.

Mean is typically the best measure of central tendency because it takes all values into account. But it is easily affected by any extreme value/outlier. Note that Mean can only be defined on interval and ratio level of measurement

Median is the mid point of data when it is arranged in order. It is typically when the data set has extreme values or is skewed in some direction. Note that median is defined on ordinal, interval and ratio level of measurement

Mode is the most frequently occurring point in data. It is best for nominal data set in which both median and mode are undefined. Note that mode is defined on nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio level of measurement

Answer 2

Mean can be calculated for only quantitative data and not qualitative data. Mean cannot be represented graphically. This can be calculated even if the number series is incomplete. Median can be used to represent the data graphically.