def median_solution_1(a, b, c):
    """
    compute the median of three values using if statements
    
    Parameters
    ----------
    a : float, int
      the first value
    b : float, int
       the second value
    c : float, int
       the third value 
       
    Returns
    -------
    the median of values a, b, and c
       
    """
    
    if a < b and b < c or a > b and b > c:
        return b 
    if b < a and a < c or b > a and a > c:
        return a
    if c < a and b < c or c > a and b > c:
        return c