1. What is a 5 Number Summary?

The 5 number summary consists of five key values that describe a dataset: minimum, first quartile (Q1), median (Q2), third quartile (Q3), and maximum. These values provide a quick overview of the distribution of the data.

2. Understanding Box Plots

A box plot (or box-and-whisker plot) visually represents the 5 number summary:

Components:

• Minimum: The smallest value in the dataset
• Q1 (First Quartile): 25% of data falls below this value
• Median (Q2): The middle value of the dataset
• Q3 (Third Quartile): 75% of data falls below this value
• Maximum: The largest value in the dataset

3. How the Calculator Works

The calculator:

1. Takes your comma-separated numerical data
2. Sorts the data in ascending order
3. Calculates the minimum and maximum values
4. Determines the median (50th percentile)
5. Calculates Q1 (25th percentile) and Q3 (75th percentile)

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions:

• Enter your numerical data separated by commas (e.g., 12, 15, 18, 22, 25)
• The calculator will ignore any non-numeric values
• You need at least 3 data points for meaningful results

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between quartiles and percentiles?
A: Quartiles are specific percentiles - Q1 is the 25th percentile, median is 50th, Q3 is 75th.

Q2: How are quartiles calculated?
A: We use linear interpolation between data points for more accurate results.

Q3: What if I have an even number of data points?
A: The median will be the average of the two middle numbers.

Q4: Can I use this for non-numerical data?
A: No, this calculator only works with numerical data.

Q5: How can I visualize my results?
A: With the 5 number summary, you can easily draw a box plot showing the data distribution.