Interpreting Data: What's the Mode?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

So far in this Interpreting Data series, you have learned how to find the mean and median for a set of data.

Let's practice what you have learned. Find the mean and median for this set of data. When you are finished, check your answers with a calculator:

63, 99, 45, 32, 99, 27, 73, 40

You should have found that the mean is 59.75 and the median is 54.

If you did not get these answers, make sure to go back and review the previous Related Lesson, found in the right-hand sidebar, before moving on.

In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the mode in a set of data.

• What do you think mode means?

The mode is the number that occurs most often in a set of data.

The following table shows how many strokes it took Ron to get the ball in the hole during nine holes of golf.

• What is the mode for this set of data?

The mode for this set of data is 6 because that is the number that appears most frequently.

Let's look at another example. Refer to the problem we have looked at in each lesson throughout this series so far, shown below.

The table shows how many goals Josie's soccer team scored at each game this season.

• What is the mode in this set of data?

The mode for this set of data is 2 and 3 because these numbers appear the most.

• Can there be more than one mode for a set of data?

Yes - unlike the median, where there can only be one number, there can be more than one mode.

• Are you wondering if there any steps or strategies to help identify the mode?

There are no specific steps for finding the mode as there are with the other ways you are learning to analyze and interpret data.

With the examples pictured in this section, you were probably able to look at the tables and quickly identify the correct answer.

Sometimes, it is helpful to put the numbers in order from least to greatest. If there is a lot of information, putting the data in order will make it easier for you to focus on the number(s) that occur the most.

• Think you understand how to find the mode?

Move on to the next section to practice!