How to find the mean of numbers?

Pronunciation

/ˈmeɪn əv ˈnʌmbərz/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A mathematical process of finding the average value of a set of numbers by adding them up and dividing by the total count of numbers.

Examples

• She calculated the mean of the exam scores to determine the class average.
• The mean of the data set helped the researcher identify the trend.

Synonyms

• Average
• Median

Antonyms

• Variance
• Range

Additional Information

The mean is a fundamental concept in statistics and is used in various fields, including mathematics, science, economics, and social sciences. It is a measure of central tendency that helps to summarize and describe a dataset.

There are different types of means, including the arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and harmonic mean, each with its own formula and application.

The mean is sensitive to outliers, which can significantly affect the calculation, and it is essential to consider the data distribution and select the appropriate method for calculating the mean.

Etymology

The term “mean” originates from the Old English word “mēan,” meaning “to intend” or “to purpose.” In mathematics, the concept of the mean dates back to ancient Greece, where it was known as the “arithmetic mean.”

Usage Notes

The mean is often used interchangeably with the term “average,” but it is essential to note that the mean is a specific type of average, and the terms are not always synonymous.

In statistics, the mean is commonly denoted by the symbol μ (mu) or x̄ (x-bar).

Cultural References

The concept of the mean has appeared in popular culture, including in films, literature, and music.

In the movie “Mean Girls,” the main character, Cady, struggles to fit in with the popular crowd and finds comfort in the math club, where they discuss the mean and other statistical concepts.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• On average
• The mean is not always the norm

Related Words or Phrases

• Mode
• Median
• Standard deviation

Collocations

• Mean score
• Mean value
• Mean temperature

Frequency of Use

The term “mean” is commonly used in everyday conversation, with a frequency of around 0.015% in written and spoken language.

Common Misspellings

• Meen
• Meaning
• Mena