Difference between revisions of "Arithmetic mean"
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The arithmetic mean of a set of numbers (or variables) is the sum of all the numbers, divided by the number of numbers. If we let <math>{AM}</math> denote Arithmetic Mean, | The arithmetic mean of a set of numbers (or variables) is the sum of all the numbers, divided by the number of numbers. If we let <math>{AM}</math> denote Arithmetic Mean, | ||
<center><math>AM=\frac{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}{n}</math></center> | <center><math>AM=\frac{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}{n}</math></center> | ||
− | + | is the arithmetic mean of the <math>{n}</math> numbers <math>x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n</math>. | |
For example, if I wanted to find the average of the numbers 3, 1, 4, 1, and 5, I would compute: | For example, if I wanted to find the average of the numbers 3, 1, 4, 1, and 5, I would compute: |
Revision as of 11:54, 22 June 2006
Arithmetic Mean
The arithmetic mean of a set of numbers (or variables) is the sum of all the numbers, divided by the number of numbers. If we let denote Arithmetic Mean,
![$AM=\frac{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}{n}$](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/a/b/6/ab63d60096a5f74caf6e4653660c7733013a1c18.png)
is the arithmetic mean of the numbers
.
For example, if I wanted to find the average of the numbers 3, 1, 4, 1, and 5, I would compute:
![$\frac{3+1+4+1+5}{5} = \frac{14}{5}.$](http://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/c/6/c/c6ce6f84dbe450a1e81b0ab8633e0eda1ad28b44.png)
Arithmetic means are also called averages. Arithmetic means show up frequently in contest problems.