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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Kenneth: Hello: What is a common calculation used to determine percentiles? For example, five employees have the following salaries: Office worker 1 - $\$25,000$ Office worker 2 - $\$27,000$ Office worker 3 - $\$30,000$ Office worker 4 - $\$32,000$ Office worker 5 - $\$35,000$ What is the percentile rank of office worker 3 who earns $\$30,000?$ Here's what I know: Add the number of salaries. Total: 5 Add the smallest number of salaries less than $\$30,000.$ There are two. Now, divide 2 by 5 and multiply by 100. $\large \frac25 \normalsize \times 100 = 40.$ I think the office worker making $\$30,000$ is in the 40th percentile. I thank you for any helpful reply and or different calculation. |
Hi Kenneth,
Your calculations are correct but rather than saying
Add the number of salaries. Total: 5
you should say
Count the number of salaries. Total: 5
and rather than saying
Add the smallest number of salaries less than $\$30,000.$ There are two.
you should say
Count the number of salaries less than $\$30,000.$ There are two.
The fact that $\$30,000$ is at the $40^{th}$ percentile means that $40 \%$ of the employees earn less than $\$30,000.$
Harley
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