Idea 19of 22Builds onMode, median and mean on a line plot
Use the mode for the most popular
Which measure tells a store what to order?
Today you'll discover
- when the mode is the right choice
- why the mean can mislead here
Think firstShoe sizes sold on Monday
The store will order more of the size that sells most. Which measure finds it?
Decide first, then press Next. Find the tallest column.
A line plot of shoe sizes sold: dots above 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 7. The column above 4 is boxed as the mode. Then the median line at 4.5 and the mean at 5 are added. The last step shows boot sizes sold on Saturday.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
To find the most popular choice, use the mode: the value that appears most often.
Mode questionsWhich size sells most? Which flavour is the favourite? What is the most common number of pets? Each asks for the mode.
Key word
- most popular
- chosen or bought more often than anything else; the mode finds it
Ready to use it?
- Choose the measure that answers a most popular question.