California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Math Practice Exam

What is the median of the data set: 3, 7, 2, 9, 5?

1. 4

2. 5

3. 6

4. 7

The correct answer is: 5

To find the median of a data set, you first need to arrange the numbers in ascending order. For the data set 3, 7, 2, 9, 5, when sorted, it becomes 2, 3, 5, 7, 9. Next, to determine the median, you identify the middle number in this ordered list. Since there are five numbers in total, the median will be the third number, as it is odd and falls exactly in the center. In this sorted list, the third number is 5. Therefore, the median of the data set is 5, which reflects the number that separates the higher half from the lower half of the data set. This is why the correct answer is 5.