Which statistical measure indicates the central tendency of a dataset?

The central tendency of a dataset refers to the statistical measures that represent the center or typical value within that dataset. The most commonly used measures of central tendency are the mean, median, and mode.

The mean is the arithmetic average of all values in the dataset, calculated by summing the values and dividing by the number of observations. The median is the middle value when the dataset is ordered from least to greatest, effectively dividing the dataset into two equal halves. The mode represents the most frequently occurring value in the dataset.

Together, these three measures provide a well-rounded understanding of where the majority of data points lie in relation to each other, helping analysts understand the general trend or pattern present in the data.

Other choices like standard deviation, variance, and range are measures of dispersion or variability in a dataset rather than central tendency. While they are essential for understanding the spread or variation of data, they do not directly indicate where the center of the dataset lies. Thus, the inclusion of the mean, median, or mode as the answer correctly identifies them as the key measures of central tendency.