Median filter theory

A median filter is a technique used to reduce noise in images or signals. It works by replacing each data point (such as a pixel brightness) with the median value of its neighboring points. This process helps eliminate sudden spikes or irregularities, making the overall data smoother while preserving important details like edges. Think of it as looking at a small neighborhood around each point and choosing the middle value to represent that area, which effectively filters out outliers or extreme fluctuations without blurring important features.