How to Find the Median Number in Two Columns of Numbers
The median number refers to the middle number in a list of numbers that are organized by order of their value. Think of a median that divides a road: It's inside the road--in the middle--not between roads. By the same token, you can't find a median number between two different columns or sets of numbers--there is no such thing. But if you treat the two columns as part of the same data set--in other words, if you combine them together--you can find a median value for the numbers in both columns.
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Instructions
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Write the numbers from both columns down in one long column, putting them in order from smallest to largest.
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Locate the middle number on the list. Either count in from both ends, for short lists, or do some simple math. If the quantity of numbers in the list is odd, subtract 1 from the total amount of numbers on the list, divide the result by 2, then add 1 back again to find the position of the middle number. So if you have 17 numbers in the list, 17 minus 1 is 16, 16 divided by 2 is 8, and 8 plus 1 is 9. The ninth number is the median value. If you have an even number of values in your list, go on to the next step.
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Divide the quantity of values by 2 to find the first part of your median value. So if you have 18 numbers in the list, 18 divided by 2 is 9. The ninth number is the first part of your median value. The next number--in this case, the tenth--is the second part of the median value. Average the two middle numbers by adding them together and then dividing by 2. This average value of the two middle numbers is the median.
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