Idea 13of 22Builds onAdd, then divide by how many
The mean can be a number not in the data
Can the mean be 4.25 puppies?
Today you'll discover
- why the mean need not be a value
- why it need not be whole
Think firstPuppies in four litters: 3, 4, 4, 6
What is the mean number of puppies per litter?
Decide first, then press Next. Watch where the level line lands.
Four stacks of puppies: 3, 4, 4 and 6. Then the working 3 + 4 + 4 + 6 = 17 and 17 ÷ 4 litters = 4.25 each, with every stack level just above 4. The last step shows fish caught on four trips: 2, 5, 3 and 4.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
The mean need not be one of the values, and it need not be a whole number.
In sportsA hockey team that scores 2.5 goals a game has never scored half a goal. 2.5 is its share per game.
Key word
- decimal mean
- a mean that is not a whole number, like 4.25, because the total does not share out evenly
Ready to use it?
- Find a mean that is a decimal.