What are typical values in a data set commonly referred to?

The term "typical values" in a data set refers to measures that summarize and represent the central point or location of the data. These are known as measures of central tendency. Measures of central tendency include the mean, median, and mode, which reflect where most of the values in the data set cluster.

Understanding measures of central tendency is essential because they provide a way to describe the data concisely, helping to convey the most relevant characteristics of the sample or population being studied. This contrasts with measures of dispersion, which characterize the spread or variability within a data set, and are not focused on central values. Thus, options related to statistical averages or medians, while relevant to the concept of central tendency, are too narrow and do not encompass the broader category that includes all three major types: mean, median, and mode. Therefore, referring to "typical values" as measures of central tendency is the most accurate and inclusive choice.