What is the median of the data set 1, 2, 3, 4, 5?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

The median is the central value of a sorted data set. When there are five numbers, the middle position is the third number. Arranging the numbers in order gives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so the central value sits between 2 and 4. That value is 3, so the median is 3. For an odd number of values, the median is the exact middle value; for an even number, you’d average the two middle values.