Mean, Median, Mode and Range Practice for 11+ Maths
21 October 2026
Why mean, median, mode and range matter
Mean, median, mode and range are key statistics for 11+ maths. They help children make sense of data, spot patterns, and answer questions about averages and spread. Understanding these measures is essential for data-based reasoning in exams.
What is the mean
The mean is the arithmetic average. It tells you what each value would be if the total was shared out equally.
To find the mean, add all the numbers together and divide by how many numbers there are.
Worked example: mean
Find the mean of 4, 7, 9, 10, 12.
Step 1: Add the numbers. 4 + 7 + 9 + 10 + 12 = 42
Step 2: Count how many numbers. There are 5 numbers.
Step 3: Divide the total by the count. 42 ÷ 5 = 8.4
The correct answer is 8.4.
What is the median
The median is the middle value when the numbers are put in order. It shows the centre of the data.
Worked example: median
Find the median of 3, 8, 2, 6, 7.
Step 1: Put the numbers in order. 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
Step 2: Find the middle value. The third number is 6.
The correct answer is 6.
What is the mode
The mode is the value that appears most often in a set. There can be more than one mode, or no mode at all if all numbers are different.
Worked example: mode
Find the mode of 5, 8, 5, 7, 9.
Step 1: List the numbers. 5, 8, 5, 7, 9
Step 2: Count how many times each number appears. 5 appears twice, the others appear once.
The correct answer is 5.
What is the range
The range shows how spread out the numbers are. It is the difference between the largest and smallest value.
Worked example: range
Find the range of 2, 6, 9, 4, 7.
Step 1: Find the largest number. 9
Step 2: Find the smallest number. 2
Step 3: Subtract the smallest from the largest. 9 - 2 = 7
The correct answer is 7.
Why regular practice helps
Practising mean, median, mode and range builds confidence with data questions. It helps children spot which average or measure is needed and avoid common mistakes.
Key insight: Understanding mean, median, mode and range gives children the tools to analyse data and answer exam questions about averages and spread with confidence.
