You calculate the average mean by summing all the values in a dataset and then dividing the sum by the total number of values.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Steps to Calculate the Mean:
- Gather the Data: Collect all the numbers you want to find the average of.
- Sum the Values: Add all the numbers together to get a total sum.
- Count the Values: Determine how many numbers are in your dataset.
- Divide: Divide the total sum (from step 2) by the number of values (from step 3). The result is the mean.
Formula:
The formula for calculating the mean is:
Mean = (Sum of all values) / (Number of values)
Example:
Let's say you have the following numbers: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
- Sum the values: 5 + 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 = 75
- Count the values: There are 5 numbers.
- Divide: 75 / 5 = 15
Therefore, the mean of the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 is 15.
Importance of the Mean:
The mean is a commonly used measure of central tendency. It provides a single value that represents the "average" of a dataset. It is widely used in various fields, including statistics, mathematics, and data analysis, to summarize data and make informed decisions.