What is the Mode of a Set of Data? |
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The mode of a set of data is the number that appears the most frequently, or often. Let's look at WHY finding the mode, or number that appears the most frequently, in a group of numbers is important! |
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Let's say you want to buy football jerseys for the team. You want to know about how much one will cost. First you need to know how much jerseys cost. Click here and take a look! Write down the prices on your chart. (Do not include the scrimmage vest. That is not the same kind of jersey.) Click here for a chart to record prices on. |
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Now look at the data you have collected on your chart. Circle the prices that are the same. The prices that are the same are the prices that appear the most often. These prices are called the mode of the set of data. |
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Why is this number, the mode, important? It is important because it tells you about how much jerseys usually cost. Let's look at what the mode of a set of data looks like on a graph! You can easily see that jersey 3 and jersey 7 are the same price and that their bars are the same height. This means that football jerseys will cost about $21.00. $20.90 is the mode, or price that appears the most often, on this graph. |
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| (All graphs on these pages are made using the graph maker courtesy of NCES.ed.gov) | |