Which statement correctly describes Q2 in a data set that has been divided into four equal parts?

Which statement correctly describes Q2 in a data set that has been divided into four equal parts?

• A. Q2 is the mean
• B. Q2 is the 50th percentile (the median)
• C. Q2 is the minimum value
• D. Q2 is the maximum value

Answer: (B)

In a dataset split into four equal parts, the second quartile marks the point that divides the data so that 50% lies below and 50% above. This is exactly the median, which is the 50th percentile. So Q2 represents the median. The mean can differ from the median in skewed data, and the minimum and maximum are just the extreme values, not the central point.

In a dataset split into four equal parts, the second quartile marks the point that divides the data so that 50% lies below and 50% above. This is exactly the median, which is the 50th percentile. So Q2 represents the median. The mean can differ from the median in skewed data, and the minimum and maximum are just the extreme values, not the central point.