Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Mathematics Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Quartiles are a statistical measure that divides a data set into four equal parts. This division helps to understand the distribution of the data by identifying how the values are spread. The first quartile (Q1) cuts off the lowest 25% of the data, the second quartile (Q2) is the median or the middle value, and the third quartile (Q3) marks the lowest 75% of the data. By representing quarter sections, quartiles provide a clear method of summarizing and analyzing the data set, allowing for better insight into its characteristics, such as its dispersion and center. This is why the definition of quartiles as quarter sections of the data is accurate and essential in statistical analysis.