AS/A2 Stats 1 Stats 3

S2 Topic 2: Continuous random variables
Calculating the median 2
A pdf f(x) is defined by:
The median, M, of a continuous distribution with pdf f(x) is the value that satisfies:

Summary The above example results in a fourth degree polynomial in M. Very difficult to solve and beyond the scope of your A Level course! You will have to apply the above method in much simpler cases, where the pdf f(x) may be linear or in a form conveniently chosen for the problem. This method uses integration techniques from Pure 1. You will need to know how to integrate basic polyniomials in x such a linear, quadratic or cubic functions, and then how to solve an equation. This page uses WebEQ. To speed up downloading you can install this WebEQ Math Viewer . Click on the Math Viewer icon and you will be taken to the download site.