Chapter SR34, Problem 12P

Solution

The median of the given data.

  $\text{2 pounds}$

Given:

The stem-and-leaf plot which shows the weights (in pounds) of dogs at an animal shelter,

  

Concept used:

If the number of elements, n in any data set is odd, then the median of the data is the middle term, that is, the median is $\frac{n+1}{2}\text{th term}$

Calculation:

In order to find median of the given data, note that there are 23 dogs in the shelter. So, the median is given by the middle term, that is

  $\begin{array}{c}\text{Median}=\frac{n+1}{2}\text{th term}\\ \text{=}\frac{23+1}{2}\text{th term}\\ \text{=}\frac{24}{2}\text{th term}\\ \text{=}12\text{th term}\\ \text{=2 pounds}\end{array}$

Thus, the median of the given data is $\text{2 pounds}$.