third quartile

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

What is the Third Quartile in Math? Definition

The third quartile, also known as Q3 or the upper quartile, is a statistical measure used in mathematics to divide a dataset into four equal parts. It represents the value below which 75% of the data falls. In other words, it separates the highest 25% of the data from the rest.

History of Third Quartile

The concept of quartiles dates back to the 19th century when Francis Galton introduced them as a way to analyze data distribution. Quartiles gained popularity in the field of statistics and have since become an essential tool in data analysis.

What Grade Level is Third Quartile For?

The concept of quartiles is typically introduced in middle or high school mathematics courses. It is commonly covered in statistics or data analysis units, which are often part of the curriculum in these grade levels.

Knowledge Points of Third Quartile and Detailed Explanation

To understand the third quartile, it is essential to grasp the concept of quartiles as a whole. Quartiles divide a dataset into four equal parts, with the first quartile (Q1) representing the value below which 25% of the data falls, the second quartile (Q2) being the median, and the third quartile (Q3) representing the value below which 75% of the data falls.

To calculate the third quartile, follow these steps:

  1. Arrange the dataset in ascending order.
  2. Determine the position of Q3 using the formula: (3n + 1) / 4, where n is the total number of data points.
  3. If the position obtained in step 2 is an integer, the third quartile is the corresponding value in the dataset.
  4. If the position is not an integer, round it up to the nearest whole number and find the corresponding value in the dataset. This value will be the third quartile.

Types of Third Quartile

There is only one type of third quartile, which is the value that separates the highest 25% of the data from the rest.

Properties of Third Quartile

The third quartile possesses the following properties:

  1. It is always greater than or equal to the first quartile (Q1).
  2. It is always less than or equal to the maximum value in the dataset.
  3. It divides the dataset into two parts: the lower quartile (Q1 to Q2) and the upper quartile (Q2 to maximum value).

How to Find or Calculate Third Quartile?

To find the third quartile, follow the steps mentioned earlier in the "Knowledge Points" section. These steps involve arranging the dataset, determining the position of Q3, and finding the corresponding value.

Formula or Equation for Third Quartile

The formula to calculate the position of the third quartile is: (3n + 1) / 4, where n is the total number of data points. However, there is no specific formula or equation to directly calculate the third quartile value.

How to Apply the Third Quartile Formula or Equation?

To apply the formula for the third quartile, substitute the value of n (total number of data points) into the formula: (3n + 1) / 4. This will give you the position of the third quartile, which can then be used to find the corresponding value in the dataset.

Symbol or Abbreviation for Third Quartile

The symbol commonly used to represent the third quartile is Q3.

Methods for Third Quartile

The most common method to find the third quartile is by arranging the dataset in ascending order and using the formula (3n + 1) / 4 to determine its position. Other methods, such as using statistical software or calculators, can also be employed to calculate the third quartile.

More than 3 Solved Examples on Third Quartile

Example 1: Consider the dataset: 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65. To find the third quartile:

  1. Arrange the dataset in ascending order: 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65.
  2. Calculate the position of Q3: (3 * 15 + 1) / 4 = 11.
  3. The third quartile is the 11th value in the dataset, which is 45.

Example 2: Consider the dataset: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. To find the third quartile:

  1. Arrange the dataset in ascending order: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.
  2. Calculate the position of Q3: (3 * 10 + 1) / 4 = 8.25 (rounded up to 9).
  3. The third quartile is the 9th value in the dataset, which is 18.

Example 3: Consider the dataset: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21. To find the third quartile:

  1. Arrange the dataset in ascending order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21.
  2. Calculate the position of Q3: (3 * 11 + 1) / 4 = 8.
  3. The third quartile is the 8th value in the dataset, which is 15.

Practice Problems on Third Quartile

  1. Find the third quartile for the dataset: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50.
  2. Calculate the third quartile for the dataset: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33.
  3. Determine the third quartile for the dataset: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26.

FAQ on Third Quartile

Q: What is the third quartile? A: The third quartile, denoted as Q3, is a statistical measure that divides a dataset into four equal parts, representing the value below which 75% of the data falls.

Q: How is the third quartile calculated? A: The third quartile is calculated by arranging the dataset in ascending order, determining its position using the formula (3n + 1) / 4, and finding the corresponding value.

Q: What is the symbol for the third quartile? A: The symbol commonly used to represent the third quartile is Q3.

Q: What is the difference between the third quartile and the median? A: The third quartile (Q3) represents the value below which 75% of the data falls, while the median (Q2) represents the middle value of the dataset.