Difference between revisions of "Mean"
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| − | The | + | The mean is a term in statistics. The mean is the average value in a set of measurements. The mean is the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers are in the set. |
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| + | The mean of a group of numbers is one way to express their [[average]]. To find the mean, the numbers are added and divided by the quantity of numbers in the group. For example: to find the mean of 3, 4, 6, and 7, we add them together: <math>3 + 4 + 6 + 7 = 20</math>. Then we divide them by the quantity of numbers in the group, which is 4. <math>20/4 = 5</math>. | ||
Most spreadsheet programs and computer languages consider ''average'' to be the mean, but there are three common types of [[average]]. Often the [[median]] is far from the [[mean]], when values are skewed in one direction (see also [[mode]]). | Most spreadsheet programs and computer languages consider ''average'' to be the mean, but there are three common types of [[average]]. Often the [[median]] is far from the [[mean]], when values are skewed in one direction (see also [[mode]]). | ||
| + | [[category:statistics]] | ||
Revision as of 02:30, July 14, 2007
The mean is a term in statistics. The mean is the average value in a set of measurements. The mean is the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers are in the set.
The mean of a group of numbers is one way to express their average. To find the mean, the numbers are added and divided by the quantity of numbers in the group. For example: to find the mean of 3, 4, 6, and 7, we add them together: . Then we divide them by the quantity of numbers in the group, which is 4. .
Most spreadsheet programs and computer languages consider average to be the mean, but there are three common types of average. Often the median is far from the mean, when values are skewed in one direction (see also mode).