Most Stable Measure of Central Tendency
Most stable measure of central tendency is-
- Mean — Correct Answer
- Mode
- Median
- Standard deviation
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Mean
The arithmetic Mean is the most stable measure of central tendency because it is computed using every single observation in the dataset — no value is ignored — making it mathematically precise and consistent.
Mean — Key Facts
- Definition: Sum of all values divided by the number of observations
- Uses: All observations in the dataset
- Most stable: Yes — changes predictably with each new observation
- Most affected by extreme values: Yes (because all values including outliers are included)
Stability Comparison of Central Tendency Measures
| Measure | Stability | Affected by Extremes? |
|---|---|---|
| Mean | Most stable ✔ | Yes — uses all values |
| Median | Moderately stable | No — position based |
| Mode | Least stable | No — frequency based |
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Mode → least stable; can be absent or multiple; not rigidly defined
- Median → moderately stable; not affected by extreme values but does not use all observations
- Standard Deviation → measure of dispersion, not central tendency
📚 About this Topic — Animal Genetics & Breeding
This multiple choice question is from Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Genetics & Breeding to strengthen your preparation.
