with the skill
**Typical order value this week: $39 (median)**
Use the median rather than the mean here. The mean is $129.80, but that is pulled up by two very large orders ($640 and $1,250). Those two orders make up about 73% of the week's $2,596 in revenue, yet 18 of the 20 orders are $70 or less. Only 2 of 20 orders (10%) are above the mean, so it doesn't describe a typical order.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median | $39 |
| Mean | $129.80 |
| Middle 50% of orders | about $30 to $54 |
| Mean excluding the two large orders | $39.20 |
**Suggested line for the report:** "Typical order value was $39 (median). Average order value was $130, inflated by two large orders ($640 and $1,250) that accounted for roughly 73% of revenue."
- **The two large orders:** I kept them in the median, since they are real orders, not errors. Check whether they are bulk or enterprise purchases. If so, it's reasonable to report them separately.
- **Sample size:** 20 orders is small, so the median could shift noticeably from week to week. Compare it with prior weeks before reading much into a change.