Mean =
Basics
The term mean is synonymous with the term average.
The formula provided for mean by the Mathematics Formula Sheet is not presented as a mathematical expression.
Formulas (Mathematics Formula Sheet)
Mean is equal to the total of the values of a data set, divided by the number of elements in the data set.
Formulas (NOT on Mathematics Formula Sheet)
Mean =
Sum = Mean x Count
Count =
Sum = addition of values
Count = number of values
Question
Three people weigh 170, 186, and 244 pounds, respectively. What is their mean weight?
Answer
200 pounds
Answer Process
Sum = addition of values = 170 + 186 + 244
Count = number of values = 3
Mean =
Mean = = 200
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Mean = |
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200 | Answer |
Mean |
Question
Five people weigh 120, 150, 170, 186, and 244 pounds, respectively. What is their average weight?
Answer
174 pounds
Answer Process
Average is the same as Mean.
Sum = addition of values = 120 + 150 + 170 + 186 + 244
Count = number of values = 5
Mean =
Mean = = 174
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Mean = |
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174 | Answer |
Mean |
Question
The mean weight of four people is 165 pounds. What is their total weight?
Answer
660 pounds
Answer Process
Sum = Mean x Count
Sum = 165 × 4 = 660
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165 × 4 | 165*4 | Sum = Mean x Count |
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660 | Answer |
Mean |
Question
A group of people with a mean weight of 135 pounds weigh a total of 945 pounds. How many people are in the group?
Answer
7
Answer Process
Count =
Count = = 7
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Count = |
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7 | Answer |
Mean |
Question
Three people have a mean weight of 145 pounds. One person weighs 132 pounds. A second person weighs 186 pounds. What does the third person weigh?
Answer
117 pounds
Answer Process
Sum = Mean × Count
Sum = Mean × Count = 145 × 3 = 435
Unknown Value = Sum – Known Values
Unknown Value = 435 – 132 – 186 = 117
Input | Display | Comment |
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145 × 3 | 145*3 | Sum = Mean × Count |
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435 | Sum |
435 – 132 – 186 | 435-132-186 | Unknown Value = Sum – Known Values |
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117 | Answer |
Mean |
Practice – Questions
1. Five basketball players scored 7, 12, 15, 28, and 33 points, respectively. What was their mean score?
2. Five basketball players scored 3, 6, 11, 18, and 47 points, respectively. What was their average score?
3. The mean bowling score of 8 people was 133. What was their total score?
4. A group of bowlers with a mean score of 147 had a total of score of 1617. How many bowlers were in the group?
5. Four bowlers had a mean score of 168. One bowler scored 111. A second bowler scored 133. A third bowler scored 223. What did the fourth bowler score?
Practice – Answers
1. 19
2. 17
3. 1064
4. 11
5. 205