Distinguishing a mean from an individual value
The arithmetic mean is the sum divided by the number of values. It need not appear in the list. First check that all values measure the same kind of thing.
Try it yourself first.
A student answers 8, 10, 12 and 14 questions in four short sessions. Find the mean and check whether it appears in the list.
View the solution or example answer
The total is 44; 44 ÷ 4 = 11. Eleven is the mean although it is not in the data. Do not confuse the mean with the most frequent value.
Your next step.
Change one value and examine the effect on the mean. Explain which group the result summarises as well as calculating it.
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