Difference between revisions of "Arithmetic mean"

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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:  
 
<center><math> \frac{3+1+4+1+5}{5} = \frac{14}{5}.</math></center>  
 
<center><math> \frac{3+1+4+1+5}{5} = \frac{14}{5}.</math></center>  
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Arithmetic means are also called averages. Arithmetic means show up frequently in contest problems.
 
Arithmetic means are also called averages. Arithmetic means show up frequently in contest problems.

Revision as of 12:28, 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 ${AM}$ denote Arithmetic Mean,

$AM=\frac{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}{n}$

is the arithmetic mean of the ${n}$ numbers $x_1,x_2,\ldots,x_n$.

For example, if I wanted to find the average of the numbers 3, 1, 4, 1, and 5, I would compute:

$\frac{3+1+4+1+5}{5} = \frac{14}{5}.$


Arithmetic means are also called averages. Arithmetic means show up frequently in contest problems.