# Math Help - 4th grade math question re "mode"

1. ## 4th grade math question re "mode"

I and my 9-year-old granddaughter are having a problem understanding "mode." The definition being used is the value that occurs most often.

Problem: Tally sheet, divided into 2 columns, right column titled number of students; left column titled hours spent weekly on computer. 9 students spent 0 hrs; 5 students spent 1 hr; 3 spent 2 hrs; 3 spent 3 hrs; 2 spent 4 hrs; 1 spent 5 hrs; 0 spent 6 hrs; 2 spent 7 hrs. What is mode?

Question; Is 0 considered a value and therefore the mode would be 0 because 9 was the highest number? Or if not a value, is the mode 1 because the next highest number, 5, reported it.

We're at loggerheads on this, and she won't ask the teacher because it would embarrass her.

I surely would appreciate any help. Many thanks.

2. I would still consider 0, since its still a number and its relevent to the question.

So I would say the mode is 0.

3. ## 4th grade math question re "mode"

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm glad you could make sense out of my wording. When I reread my question just now, I realized I had stated my first answer for "mode" as 9 rather than 0!
Renee