What number occurs most frequently in a listing of numbers?

The mode is defined as the number that appears most frequently in a given set of numbers. In statistical terms, it provides insight into the most common value within a dataset. For instance, if you have a list of numbers such as 3, 5, 3, 7, and 8, the mode would be 3 because it appears more often than any other number.

Understanding the mode is particularly useful in various practical applications, such as inventory data analysis or customer purchasing patterns, where identifying the most common item can help inform decisions and strategies. In contrast, the mean represents the average value, the median indicates the middle value when arranged in order, and the range measures the difference between the highest and lowest values in the set, none of which directly reflect frequency of occurrence.