Calculate the mean

The mean represents the equal-share value of a data set: the total of all values divided by the number of values, including repeated values. It can be calculated for small sets of whole numbers and familiar decimals or fractions, interpreted in the context of the data, and recognized as potentially different from every observed value; weighted means, mean as an algebraic parameter, and more advanced statistical analysis are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Calculate the mean

The mean is the equal-share value of a data set. To find it:

Add all the values.
Count how many values there are.
Divide the total by the number of values.

Example

A student records the number of pages read over four days:

4,\ 5,\ 7,\ 8

Step 1: Add the values.

4+5+7+8=24

Step 2: Count the values.

There are $4$ values.

Step 3: Divide the total by the number of values.

24\div 4=6

So, the mean is:

\boxed{6\text{ pages}}

This means the student read the same total number of pages as if they had read $6$ pages each day. The mean does not have to be one of the original values; here, $6$ was not in the data set.

Learn by doing: Calculate the mean

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Statistics - Solve for Mean

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