statistics · Year 7 · Suggested learning sequence

The mean (average)

The mean is the 'even share' average. Add every value to get the total, then divide by how many numbers there are. For 4, 7, 3, 10, 6 the total is 30 and there are 5 numbers, so the mean is 30 ÷ 5 = 6. Every value counts — a zero is still a number to divide by, and one big number pulls the mean up. If you stop at the total you have only done half the job; the sharing step is what makes it an average.

Sample questions

Find the mean of 10, 10, 4.

  1. Add every value: 10 + 10 + 4 = 24.
  2. There are 3 numbers, so share the total: 24 ÷ 3 = 8.

Answer: 8

Find the mean of 8, 6, 7.

  1. Add every value: 8 + 6 + 7 = 21.
  2. There are 3 numbers, so share the total: 21 ÷ 3 = 7.

Answer: 7

Find the mean of 2, 8, 5.

  1. Add every value: 2 + 8 + 5 = 15.
  2. There are 3 numbers, so share the total: 15 ÷ 3 = 5.

Answer: 5

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