Central tendency is a statistical concept that describes the center or typical value of a dataset. It helps summarize a large set of numbers with a single representative value. The three main measures of central tendency are the mean, median, and mode. The mean is the average of all values, the median is the middle value when data is ordered, and the mode is the most frequently occurring value. Understanding central tendency is essential in various fields, including psychology, economics, and education, as it provides insights into data patterns. By identifying the central point, researchers can make informed decisions and comparisons, facilitating better analysis and interpretation of information.