[Glossary](https://useratio.app/glossary) › Maths and statistics

# Median and mean

The mean adds the numbers and divides by how many there are. The median is the middle number once they are sorted.

One very large value drags the mean up but barely moves the median, so the median is often a better picture of a typical value, such as a typical salary or house price.

## In Ratio

| You type | Ratio shows |
| --- | --- |
| `mean(1, 2, 3, 4)` | 2.5 |
| `median(1, 3, 2)` | 2 |

## Related

[Standard deviation](https://useratio.app/glossary/standard-deviation) · [All terms](https://useratio.app/glossary)

[Try Ratio free for 7 days](https://useratio.app/download)

Source: https://useratio.app/glossary/median