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jmc

prealgebra intermediate

Problem

The stem-and-leaf plot shows the number of minutes and seconds of one ride on each of the top-rated roller coasters in the world. In the stem-and-leaf plot, represents minutes, seconds, which is the same as seconds. What is the median of this data set? Express your answer in seconds.

Solution
There are 17 times, so the median time will be the ninth when the times are listed from least time to most time. Fortunately, the stem-and-leaf plot gives us the times in order. For example, the first time is 0 minutes and 28 seconds, the second time is also 0 minutes and 28 seconds, and so on. The ninth time is 2 minutes and 43 seconds. Converting to seconds gives seconds.
Final answer
163