What does the mode indicate in a data set?

The mode in a data set represents the value that appears most frequently. It is a measure of central tendency that helps identify the number or category that is most common within the collection of data. For instance, if you have a list of test scores where the score 85 appears five times, while all other scores appear fewer times, then 85 is the mode of that data set.

Understanding the mode is particularly useful in fields such as statistics and data analysis, where recognizing trends or commonalities can inform decisions or conclusions. In contrast, the average (or mean) summarizes the data set by calculating a central value, while the smallest and largest numbers reflect the range rather than the frequency of values. Therefore, selecting the mode indicates you are interested in the frequency of occurrence rather than in overall size or values.