What is the median of: 8, 4, 6, 10, 2?

To find the median of a set of numbers, the first step is to arrange the numbers in ascending order. For the given numbers: 8, 4, 6, 10, and 2, when sorted, they become: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

The median is defined as the middle number in a sorted list. Since there are five numbers in this case, the median will be the third number in the ordered list. Counting through the sorted numbers:

1. The first number is 2.

2. The second number is 4.

3. The third number is 6.

Since the third number is 6, this means that 6 is the median of the set.

This method of finding the median is essential for analysis in statistics, as it helps understand the central tendency of a data set. The median represents a value that separates the higher half from the lower half, providing a clear measure of central position within a set of numbers.