What is the median number of outlet boxes used per job from the eight job counts: 9, 36, 42, 56, 56, 86, 93, 105?

• A. 56
• B. 60
• C. 62
• D. 72

Answer: (A)

When a data set has an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle numbers after you sort the data. Arrange the counts in order: 9, 36, 42, 56, 56, 86, 93, 105. The two middle positions are the 4th and 5th values, which are both 56. Averaging them gives (56 + 56) / 2 = 56. So the median is 56.