Explain what each quartile represents.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that quartiles are values that divide a data set into four equal parts, each containing 25% of the data points when the data is ordered from smallest to largest.
2. The first quartile (Q1) represents the 25th percentile, meaning 25% of the data falls below this value.
3. The second quartile (Q2) is the median, representing the 50th percentile, where half of the data lies below and half above.
4. The third quartile (Q3) represents the 75th percentile, indicating that 75% of the data is below this value and 25% is above.
5. Together, these quartiles help describe the spread and distribution of the data, highlighting where the middle 50% of the data lies between Q1 and Q3.

Key Concepts

Quartiles

Quartiles divide a data set into four equal parts after the data is sorted. Each quartile marks a boundary that separates the data into 25% segments, helping to understand the distribution and spread of the data.

First Quartile (Q1)

The first quartile (Q1) is the value below which 25% of the data falls. It represents the lower boundary of the middle 50% of the data and helps identify the lower range of the data set.

Second and Third Quartiles (Q2 and Q3)

The second quartile (Q2) is the median, dividing the data into two equal halves. The third quartile (Q3) marks the value below which 75% of the data lies, indicating the upper boundary of the middle 50% of the data.