Odometer reading should be considered a variable when used to measure this distance. Odometer reading should be considered a variable when used to measure this distance. The median of the five measurements is more likely to be close to the actual distance than is a single measurement. The median of the five measurements is more likely to be close to the actual distance than is a single measurement. The actual distance should be considered a variable, and taking five measurements allows the manager to estimate the variability in the actual distance. The actual distance should be considered a variable, and taking five measurements allows the manager to estimate the variability in the actual distance. If one or two odometers give inaccurate readings, the estimate still should be fairly close to the actual distance. If one or two odometers give inaccurate readings, the estimate still should be fairly close to the actual distance. The manager can get some indication of how far off the estimate might be.