What is the mode of the data: 3, 5, 7, 3, 9, 5, 3, 2?

**The reasoning** The **mode** is simply the number that appears *most frequently* in a dataset. Let me count each number's appearances: - 2 appears **1 time** - 3 appears **3 times** ✓ - 5 appears **2 times** - 7 appears **1 time** - 9 appears **1 time** Since 3 shows up three times (more than any other number), **3 is the mode**. **Why the wrong options tempt you** **A) 2** — This is the smallest number (the minimum), not the most frequent. Don't confuse "first" with "most common." **C) 5** — It appears twice, which seems significant, but 3 appears even more often. You might pick this if you stop counting too soon. **D) 7** — This is near the middle value, but mode has nothing to do with position or average — only *frequency*. **Quick takeaway** Mode = Most Often: Count how many times each number appears, and the winner is your mode! (Tip: A dataset can even have *two* modes if two numbers tie for most frequent.)