As a general rule, the _________ is the best measure of central tendency because it is more precise
A. mean B. median C. mode D. range
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The mean is often considered the best measure of central tendency because it takes into account all values in the dataset and provides a precise average.
- Mean (Arithmetic Average): It is calculated by summing all the values and dividing by the number of values. It reflects the overall level of the dataset and is useful for understanding the typical value. It is especially precise when the data are symmetrically distributed and there are no outliers.
- Median: This is the middle value when the data is ordered. It is useful when the dataset has outliers or is skewed, as it is less affected by extreme values.
- Mode: The value that appears most frequently. It may not always be unique or provide a clear measure of central tendency if the dataset has multiple modes or no mode.
- Range: Measures the spread of the data, not the central tendency.
