A micropaleontologist compares microfossil counts across 5 core samples. The counts are: 142, 167, 138, 185, and 178. What is the difference between the mean and median counts?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:36:39 +0000

**Uncovering Hidden Patterns in Microfossil Data — The Mean vs. Median Breakdown** What happens when scientists compare tiny fossil counts from five distinct sediment cores? At first glance, numbers seem random—but deeper analysis reveals valuable insights. A micropaleontologist recently examined five core samples, recording fossil counts of 142, 167, 138, 185, and 178. A natural question arises: What does the difference between the mean and median tell us about this data? In scientific and educational contexts, understanding central tendency helps decode patterns in complex datasets. Taking this core sample example, determining the mean and median offers clarity on how representative each number is of the full set. This distinction is particularly useful when interpreting subtle shifts in paleoenvironmental data, often discussed in current geological research. **The Data: What We’re Actually Analyzing**
The five microfossil counts—142, 167, 138, 185, and 178—represent microscopic remnants preserved in a sediment core, each telling a story about ancient ecosystems. These values were gathered systematically during laboratory analysis to compare biodiversity indicators across stratigraphic layers. While individual numbers vary, their clustering near the mid-180s suggests a consistent underlying record.