The median is another measure of center for a distribution. It is the middle value in a data set when values are listed in order. The number of values less than or equal to the median is the same as the number of values that are greater than or equal to the median.

To find the median, we order the data values from least to greatest and find the number in the middle.

Suppose we have 5 dogs whose weights, in pounds, are shown in the table. The median weight for this group of dogs is 32 pounds because three dogs weigh less than or equal to 32 pounds and three dogs weigh greater than or equal to 32 pounds.

Now suppose we have 6 cats whose weights, in pounds, are listed here. Notice that there are 2 values in the middle: 7 and 8.

The median weight must be between 7 and 8 pounds, because half of the cats weigh less than or equal to 7 pounds, and half of the cats weigh greater than or equal to 8 pounds.

When there are even numbers of values, we take the number exactly in between the two middle values. In this case, the median cat weight is 7.5 pounds because $(7+8)\div 2=7.5$.