Finding the Median: Step-by-Step Example
23 October 2026
Finding the median is a key skill for 11+ maths. It helps children understand how to spot the middle value in a group of numbers. This step-by-step example shows exactly what to do, making it easy for your child to follow along.
Worked example
Find the median of these numbers: 4, 7, 2, 9, 6
Step 1: Put the numbers in order from smallest to largest: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9
Step 2: Find the middle number. There are 5 numbers, so the third number is the middle one.
Key insight: The median is always the middle value when the numbers are in order.
The correct answer is 6.
| Position | Number |
|---|---|
| 1st | 2 |
| 2nd | 4 |
| 3rd (Median) | 6 |
| 4th | 7 |
| 5th | 9 |
Now your child will know how to find the median by putting numbers in order and choosing the middle one. This is the same method used in maths.com uk style questions, so your child can feel confident when practising similar problems.
