BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

MMW 101
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

Module 14
Other Measures of Location
“Statistics: Our Life Saver
and Influencer”
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Other Measures of Location

Objectives of the Module
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
1. name the other measures of location,
2. compute for the quartiles, deciles, and percentiles of ungrouped and grouped
data, and
3. interpret the computed quantiles.

Quantiles are values that divide the distribution into equal parts. The median
is a quantile that divides the distribution into two equal parts.

Other types of Quantiles:

1. Quartiles divide the distribution into four equal parts. These data points are
𝑄1(first quartile), 𝑄2 (second quartile), and 𝑄3 (third quartile).

2. Deciles divide the distribution into ten equal parts. These data points are
𝐷1 (first decile), 𝐷2 (second decile), 𝐷3 (third decile), 𝐷4 (fourth decile) up to
𝐷9 (ninth decile).

3. Percentiles or Centiles divide the distribution into one hundred equal parts. A
percentile is a value below which a certain percentage of the values in the data
set fall. These are 𝑃1(first percentile), 𝑃2 (second percentile), 𝑃3 (third percentile),
𝑃4 (fourth percentile) up to 𝑃99(ninety-ninth percentile).

Here is the illustration of the quantiles.

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In the above illustration, you will notice that we have the following:
median = Q2 = D5 = P50; Q1 = P25; Q3 = P75; D1 = P10; D2 = P20; and so on.

Computation of the Quantiles for Ungrouped Data

Example 1. Find the 20th percentile or P20 of the following test scores in Statistics.

27 21 17 11 30 13 22 25 10

To solve any quantile, change it first to percentile and follow these steps:
Step 1. First, arrange the scores in ascending (or descending) order, as follows.
10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30
Step 2. Compute the position of the desired percentile in the distribution using the
formula:

𝑷𝒊 (𝒏 + 𝟏)
Formula 1
𝟏𝟎𝟎
where: 𝑷𝒊 = the given percentile
𝒏 = the total number of observations

We have 𝑷𝒊 = 20 and 𝒏 = 9.

𝑃𝑖 (𝑛+1) 20(9+1)
Position: = =2
100 100

Step 3. Locate the score in the position obtained in Step 2, starting from the lowest
value.

The value in the second position is 11. Therefore, P20 = 11.

Interpretation: The computed value of the 20th percentile means that 20% of the
students scored lower than 11 and 80% of them scored higher than 11.

The results in the example are illustrated below.

Illustration 1

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30
20%
Scored 80% Scored Above 11
Below
11
P20=11
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Illustration 2

9th 30

8th 27

7th 25

6th 22
80% Scored Above 11
5th 21

4th 17

3rd 13

2nd 11 P20 = 11

20% Scored Below 11

1st 10

Example 2. Find the 7th decile or D7 of the scores in Example 1.

Step 1. Ascending order of the scores:

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30
𝑃𝑖 (𝑛+1) 70(9+1)
Step 2. D7 = P70 and n = 9, Position: = =7
100 100

Step 3. Locate the score in the position obtained in Step 2, starting from the lowest
value.

The value in the seventh position is 25. Therefore, P70 = 25.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30

Interpretation: The computed value of the 70th percentile means that

70% of the students scored lower than 25 and 30% scored higher than
25.
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Illustration 3

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30
30% Scored
70% Scored Below 25
Above 25
P70 =25

Example 3. Above what score is the upper 33% of the scores in Example 1?

Step 1. Subtract the upper 33% from 100.

100 - 33 = 67

Step 2. Solve for P67.

𝑃𝑖 (𝑛+1) 67(9+1)
Pi = 67 and n = 9 Position: = = 6.7
100 100

Step 3. The location of 6.7 is between the 6th value and the 7th value.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30

Interpolating:
1. 7th value - 6th value = 25 - 22 = 3
2. 3(0.7) = 2.1
3. 2.1 + 6th value = 2.1 + 22 = 24.1
P67 = 24.1

Interpretation: The upper 33% of the students scored higher than 24.1.

The results in example 3 are illustrated below.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30
Lower 67% Upper 33%
P67=24.1

Example 4. Between what scores is the middle 50% of the scores in Example 1.

Step 1. Subtract the middle 50% from 100 and divide the difference by 2.
50
100 - 50 = 50, = 25 This is the 1st score. ------ P25
2

Step 2. Get the second score by adding the middle 50% to the quotient obtained in
Step 1.
50 + 25 = 75 This is the 2nd score. ------ P75
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Step 3. Solve for P25 and P75.

For P25: For P75:

Pi = 25 and n = 9 Pi = 75 and n = 9
𝑃𝑖(𝑛+1) 25(9+1) 𝑃𝑖(𝑛+1) 75(9+1)
Position: = = 2.5 Position: = =7.5
100 100 100 100

(2.5 is between the 2nd value (7.5 is between the 7th value
and the 3rd value.) and the 8th value.)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

10 11 13 17 21 22 25 27 30

Note: For cases where the decimal part is 0.5, there is no need to interpolate. Get
only the average of the two values.

2𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒+3𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 11+13 7𝑡ℎ 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒+8𝑡ℎ 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 25+27

= =12 = = 26
2 2 2 2

P25 = 12 P75 = 26

Interpretation: The middle 50% of the students got scores between 12 and 26.

Illustration 5

9th 30
Upper 25%
8th 27
P75 = 26
7th 25

6th 22

5th 21
Middle 50%
4th 17

3rd 13
P25 = 12
2nd 11
Lower 25%
1st 10
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At this point, let us focus on the computation of the quantiles for grouped data.

Computation of the Quantiles for Grouped Data

The computation of any quantile for grouped data is similar to that of the
median. The formula is:

𝑖𝑛
− < 𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖
𝑃𝑖 = 𝑙𝑖 + ( 100 )𝑐 Formula 2
𝑓𝑖

Where:
𝑃𝑖 = the desired percentile
𝑙𝑖 = lower boundary of the class containing 𝑃𝑖
𝑛 = total frequency
𝑖 = proportion corresponding to the desired percentile
< 𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖 = cumulative frequency (<cf) preceding/before the class containing 𝑃𝑖
𝑓𝑖 = frequency of the class containing 𝑃𝑖
𝑐 = class size

To illustrate, let us use the example given in the discussion of the frequency
distribution table.

Table 6
Frequency Distribution of 50 Test Scores in Statistics

Class Class
Frequency Cumulative Frequency
Intervals Boundaries f <cf
LL - UL LB – UB
24 - 30 23.5 - 30.5 3 3
31 – 37 30.5 - 37.5 3 6
38 – 44 37.5 - 44.5 6 12( <cfb )
45 – 51 li44.5 - 51.5 7 fi 19(12.5 is found here)
52 – 58 51.5 - 58.5 8 27
59 – 65 58.5 - 65.5 9 36
66 – 72 65.5 - 72.5 3 39
73 – 79 72.5 - 79.5 6 45
80 – 86 79.5 - 86.5 3 48
87 - 93 86.5 - 93.5 2 50
𝑐=7 𝑛 = 50
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Using Table 6, let us solve the following:

1. Solve for Q1.

Q1 is the same as P25.To find P25, let us follow the steps below.

𝑖𝑛
Step 1. Solve for .
100

i = 25 and n = 50

𝑖𝑛 25(50)
= = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓
100 100

Step 2: Locate the value obtained in Step 1 under the <cf column.
12.5 is contained in 19 under the <cf. Therefore, 45 – 51 is the class
containingP25.

Step 3: Get the lower boundary.

Since the class containing P25 is 45 - 51, 𝒍𝒊 = 44.5.

Step 4: Get the value of < 𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖 .

This is the <cf value before the class containing P25, < 𝑐𝒇𝒃𝒊 = 12.

Step 5: Determine the value of 𝑓𝑖 .

This is the frequency in class 45 – 51, 𝒇𝒊 = 7.
Step 6: Get the class size.
This is c = 7.
Step 7: Substitute the values in the formula.

Summary of Values:
𝑖𝑛
− <𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖
class: 45 - 51 Pi = li + (100 )c
𝑓𝑖
𝒊𝒏 12.5−12
= 12.5 P25 = 44.5 + ( )7
𝟏𝟎𝟎 7
li = 44.5 P25 = 44.5 + 0.5
<cfbi = 12 P25 = 45
fi = 7
c=7

Interpretation: The computed value of 45 shows that 25% of the students

who took the test in Statistics scored lower than 45 while 75 % of them
scored higher than 45.
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2. Solve for D6.

Table 6
Frequency Distribution of 50 Test Scores in Statistics

Class Class
Frequency Cumulative Frequency
Limits Boundaries
f <cf
LL - UL LB – UB
24 - 30 23.5 - 30.5 3 3
31 – 37 30.5 - 37.5 3 6
38 – 44 37.5 - 44.5 6 12
45 – 51 44.5 - 51.5 7 19
52 – 58 51.5 - 58.5 8 27( <cfb )
59 – 65 𝒍𝒊 58.5-65.5 9fi 36(30 is found here)
66 – 72 65.5 - 72.5 3 39
73 – 79 72.5 - 79.5 6 45
80 – 86 79.5 - 86.5 3 48
87 - 93 86.5 - 93.5 2 50
c=7 n = 50

𝑫𝟔 is the same as 𝑷𝟔𝟎 . To calculate P60, we shall find the following:

𝑖𝑛
Step 1: Solve for . i = 60 and n = 50
100

𝑖𝑛 60(50)
= = 𝟑𝟎
100 100

Step 2: 30 is contained in 36 under the <cf column. Therefore, 59 - 65 is the class

containing P60.

Step 3: Since 59 - 65 is the class containing P60, 𝒍𝒊 = 58.5.

Step 4: < 𝑐𝒇𝒃𝒊 = 27

Step 5: 𝒇𝒊 = 9

Step 6: c=7

Step 7: Substitute the values in the formula.

Summary of Values:
𝑖𝑛
− <𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖
100
class: 59 - 65 Pi = 𝑙𝑖 + ( )c
𝑓𝑖
𝒊𝒏 30−27
= 30 P60 = 58.5 + ( )7
𝟏𝟎𝟎 9
li = 58.5 P60 = 60.83
<cfbi = 27
fi = 9
c=7
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Interpretation: The computed value of 60.83 shows that 60% of the students who
took the test in Statistics scored lower than 60.83 and 40% of them scored higher
than 60.83.

3. Solve for C83.

Table 6

Frequency Distribution of 50 Test Scores in Statistics

Class Class
Frequency Cumulative Frequency
Limits Boundaries
f <cf
LL - UL LB - UB
24 - 30 23.5 - 30.5 3 3
31 – 37 30.5 - 37.5 3 6
38 – 44 37.5 - 44.5 6 12
45 – 51 44.5 - 51.5 7 19
52 – 58 51.5 - 58.5 8 27
59 – 65 58.5 -65.5 9 36
66 – 72 65.5 - 72.5 3 39( <cfb )
73 – 79 𝒍𝒊 72.5- 79.5 6 fi 45(41.5 is found here)
80 – 86 79.5 - 86.5 3 48
87 - 93 86.5 - 93.5 2 50
c=7 n = 50

C83 is the same as P83. To compute the value of P83, we have:

𝑖𝑛
Step 1: Solve for . i = 83 and n = 50
100

𝑖𝑛 83(50)
= = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟓
100 100

Step 2: 41.5 is contained in 45 under the <cf column. Therefore, 73 - 79 is the

class containing P83.

Step 3: Since 73 - 79 is the class containing P83, 𝒍𝒊 = 72.5.

Step 4: < 𝑐𝒇𝒃𝒊= 39

Step 5: 𝒇𝒊 = 6

Step 6: c=7
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Step 7: Substitute the values in the formula.

Summary of Values:
𝑖𝑛
− <𝑐𝑓𝑏𝑖
100
class: 73 - 79 Pi = 𝑙𝑖 + ( )c
𝑓𝑖
𝒊𝒏 41.5−39
= 41.5 P83 = 72.5 + ( )7
𝟏𝟎𝟎 6

li = 72.5 P83 = 75.41

<cfbi = 39
fi = 6
c=7

Interpretation: The computed value of 75.41 shows that 83% of the

students who took the test in Statistics scored lower than 75.41 and
17% of them scored higher than 75.41.
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References

Mangaran, A. J. (2004) et al. Elementary Statistics. City of Malolos, Bulacan: Bulacan

State University.

Sirug, W.S. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Intramuros, Manila:

Mindshapes Co., Inc.

Zorilla, Roland, et.al. (2013) Statistics: Basic Concepts and Applications. Malabon
City, Philippines : MUTYA Publishing House.

Online Reference

Measures of Central Tendency. Laerd Statistics. Retrieved on July 8, 2022 from:

https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/measures-central-tendency-mean-mode-
median.php.