Finding the Mode

Data and Statistics - The MODE

by Mr. Crofts

​What is the MODE?

​The MODE is a value that appears the most in a set of data.

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​It can be considered the most common or most Popular value in a data set.

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​Take the following data set:

{1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9, 10}

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​The MODE, would be '7', as it appears three times, whilst every other value appears two times or less.

​Quick Facts about the MODE

​1. The MODE is the most occurring value in a data set e.g. {1, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9}

​mode = 5

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​2. A data set can have more than one MODE e.g. {3, 3, 3, 9, 12, 12, 12, 17, 21}

​mode = 3 and 12. Both occur three times. We call this Bi-Modal!

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​3. A data set can have no MODE e.g. {3, 6, 9, 16, 27, 30}, no value occurs more!

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​4. The MODE is best used when examining CATEGORICAL DATA.

​Still unsure about the MODE?

​If you struggle to remember what the MODE is, use this helpful Acronym.

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• ​M - Most

• ​O - Occurring

• ​D - Data

• ​E - Entry

Multiple Choice

Determine the MODE of the following data set.

{14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19, 20}

• 14

• 19

• 18

• 15

Multiple Choice

Using this graph determine, which colour of vehicle represents the MODE.

• Black

• Silver

• White

• Red

Multiple Select

Using this graph, determine which favourite food represents the MODE.

• Pizza

• Spaghetti

• Fried Chicken

• Hamburgers

• Fish n' Chips

Multiple Choice

Determine the MODE of the following data set.

{100, 125, 87, 113, 187, 45, 98, 112, 155}

• 187

• 100

• Impossible to tell,

• There is no mode.