Basic Tools of Economic Analysis

Grade 10 · Economics

Semester 2 | Period 5 | Week 28

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Subject: Economics

Semester: 2

Period: 5

Week: 28


School Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Subject: Economics

Grade Level: Grade 10

Week & Period: Week 28, Period V

Date:

Topic: Basic Tools of Economic Analysis
Sub-topic: Measures of Central Tendency – Median

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

  1. Define median and describe its use in economics.
  2. Distinguish between median in ungrouped and grouped data.
  3. Calculate the median from raw data and frequency distribution tables.
  4. Interpret and apply median in analyzing economic data sets.

 

Instructional Materials:

  • Chart papers with data samples
  • Rulers and pencils
  • Scientific calculator
  • Sample data on household incomes
  • Graphs and illustrations
  • Board and marker

 

Anticipatory Set (Warm-Up):

Ask learners: “What does the middle person earn if ten people’s monthly salaries are arranged from lowest to highest?”
Introduce the idea of median as the middle value of a data set.

 

Building Background Knowledge (Main Lesson):

Definition of Median:

The median is the middle value when data is arranged in ascending or descending order.

  • For odd number of items: middle value.
  • For even number: average of the two middle values.

 

Ungrouped Data Example:

Find the median of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16

  • Arranged: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16
  • Median = 12 (3rd value)

If data is: 8, 10, 12, 14

  • Median = (10 + 12) / 2 = 11

 

Grouped Data Median Formula:

 

Where:

  • L = lower boundary of median class
  • N = total frequency
  • C = cumulative frequency before median class
  • f = frequency of median class
  • w = width of class interval

 

Example:

Class Interval

Frequency (f)

Cumulative Frequency

0 – 9

2

2

10 – 19

6

8

20 – 29

7

15

30 – 39

5

20

Total frequency N=20

 

 

Real-Life Application in Economics:

  • Median income or wage is often a better indicator of income distribution than the mean, especially where outliers exist.

 

Class Activities:

  1. Learners to compute median from raw and grouped data sets.
  2. Group activity to compare the economic implications of mean vs median.

 

Assessment Questions:

  1. Define median and explain when it is preferred over mean.
  2. Calculate the median of: 6, 8, 12, 15, 18
  3. Use the following to compute the median:

Class Interval

Frequency

5 – 14

3

15 – 24

5

25 – 34

7

35 – 44

5

 

Homework:

  • Find the median for this dataset: 4, 6, 9, 11, 14, 18, 20
  • Calculate the median from the grouped data below:

Income ($)

Frequency

100–199

5

200–299

10

300–399

6

400–499

9

 

Expanded Notes:

  • Median is not affected by extreme values (unlike mean).
  • Median gives a better sense of middle income or price in economic analysis.
  • It is often used in wage analysis and poverty studies.

Differentiation:

  • Provide a step-by-step worksheet with formulas.
  • Use diagrams to show position of median in datasets.
  • Advanced students can solve using larger data groups or real-life examples.

 

Teacher’s Reflection:

  • Were students able to apply the formula for grouped median?
  • Did they grasp the concept of data centrality?
  • Did learners see practical relevance in economic analysis?