Question

the median of 5, 7, 2, 9, 8 is: 5 7 8 6

Explanation:

Step1: Arrange the numbers in order

First, we need to sort the numbers \(5, 7, 2, 9, 8\) in ascending order. When we sort them, we get \(2, 5, 7, 8, 9\).

Step2: Find the middle number

Since there are 5 numbers (an odd number of observations), the median is the middle number. The middle position in a set of \(n\) numbers (where \(n\) is odd) is at \(\frac{n + 1}{2}\)th position. Here, \(n = 5\), so \(\frac{5+ 1}{2}=3\)rd position. Looking at the sorted list \(2, 5, 7, 8, 9\), the 3rd number is \(7\).

Answer:

7