How to Find the Mean: 3 Simple Steps
What is the mean?
Mean – the average of a set of numbers (i.e. the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers you have).
So the “mean” is just the average.
How to find the mean:
1. Find how many numbers are in your set
We will call this number n. It might be given to you directly or you may have to count the numbers.
2. Find the sum of the numbers in your set
Add the numbers together. If a number appears more than once, add it each time it appears. A calculator might be best for this step.
3. Divide the sum by your n
Get your sum from step 2 and divide that sum by your n from step 1. If your result does not come out to a whole number, check the instructions in the problem to see if there are directions of how to round. If there are no rounding directions, 2 decimal places is safe.
Your mean MUST be within the range of your set. If your mean = 4, but the numbers in your set are between 60 and 100, something is wrong
Example: 8 students each take a test. The test scores are 67, 72, 74, 79, 79, 81, 84, 94. What is the mean(average) of the test scores?
1. Find your n
You have 8 tests taken. So n = 8.
2. Find the sum of the test scores
67 + 72 + 74 + 79 + 79 + 81 + 84 + 94 = 630
**notice how 79 is used twice since it repeats
3. Divide the sum by your n
630 ÷ 8 = 78.75
So the mean = 78.75
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