The average, also known as the arithmetic mean, is calculated by summing a group of numbers and then dividing by the total count of numbers in the group.
Steps to Calculate the Average:
- Sum the Numbers: Add all the numbers in the dataset together.
- Count the Numbers: Determine how many numbers are in the dataset.
- Divide: Divide the sum (from Step 1) by the count (from Step 2).
Example:
Let's calculate the average of the numbers: 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, and 10.
- Sum: 2 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 10 = 30
- Count: There are 6 numbers in the dataset.
- Divide: 30 / 6 = 5
Therefore, the average of the numbers 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, and 10 is 5. This method is also described in the provided reference which states, "Average This is the arithmetic mean, and is calculated by adding a group of numbers and then dividing by the count of those numbers. For example, the average of 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, and 10 is 30 divided by 6, which is 5."
Formula:
The formula for calculating the average can be represented as:
Average = (Sum of Numbers) / (Count of Numbers)
Table Summary
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Sum | Add all numbers in the dataset. |
| 2. Count | Determine the number of items. |
| 3. Divide | Divide the sum by the count. |
Practical Use Cases:
Calculating the average is useful in various situations, such as:
- Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA): Sum the grade points and divide by the number of courses.
- Determining Average Sales: Sum the sales figures over a period and divide by the number of periods.
- Finding the Mean Temperature: Sum the temperatures recorded and divide by the number of recordings.
