The mode, median and mean averages are three types of average that can be used for various numerical ranges. To look at each separately:
Mode
The mode is actually the most straightforward of these averages. It is the most common value, from within a range. To use a typical example, this range: 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, and 8. Here, the modal value is four, for that is the most common value available. If there were three sevens also, then a mean average is used to give a modal value, which would actually be 4.5 in this particular case.
As another example, let us say you were comparing prices for the same drink. 50p, 45p, 45p, 68p were the given prices. Therefore, the modal price (and best) is 45p.
At any rate, the mode is best used in ranges that might have a number of similar or equal values. The range 1, 2 and 3 does not have a modal value as such. A mean average could then be used, which is 2.
Median
The median average is a mid-range value. It is used to highlight a middle value in a range of values. It requires that a range of values be sorted numerically from smallest to largest. Then the mid-value of this range is referred to as the median average.
Let us look at another example: Three golf scores of 75, 81 and 90. Here, the median value is 81 as it falls between the other two values.
While this is a very simple example, a slightly more extensive example can be considered: 75, 80, 81, 85, 85 90, 92 and 92. For this example, the value of 85 sits most comfortably as the median value.
In the event that two or more values might make median values, then they are averaged as a mean value to find the single median value.
Mean
The mean average is one that requires a little adding and dividing. The mean finds an overall average value from a range.
To start with, the numbers of any given range must all be added to give a total. Then the number of values must divide by the total to give an overall mean average.
Let us look at another example. Taking three soccer games with scores of 0-0, 2-1 and 1-0. To find an average number of goals scored, all the goals can first be added to give four. Then divide four by the number of games played. Four divided by the three games played is 1.33 goals scored per game. Therefore, the mean average is 1.33 which rounded down is 1 goal per game played.
Of course there are other averages. However the mode, median and mean are useful for comparison and stats.
