What is the definition of mode in a series of numbers?

The mode is defined as the number that occurs most frequently in a series of numbers. This measure of central tendency is particularly useful in understanding the most common value within a data set. For example, if you have a set of numbers such as 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, the mode would be 2 since it appears more times than any other number in that series.

This definition highlights the focus on frequency rather than the spread or average of the numbers. Other terms such as the average (mean) or median (the middlemost number) refer to different concepts that serve other purposes in statistical analysis, like determining central value averages or midpoints rather than identifying the most common occurrence. The concept of range, which is the difference between the smallest and largest number, also relates to the spread of data rather than its frequency. Therefore, the most accurate description of mode is indeed the number that occurs most often in a dataset.