Average Formula:
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The simple average (arithmetic mean) is the sum of all values divided by the number of values. It's a fundamental statistical measure used to find the central tendency of a data set.
The calculator uses the average formula:
Where:
Explanation: The equation sums all values and divides by the count of values to find the arithmetic mean.
Details: Averages are used in virtually all fields to summarize data, compare groups, and make predictions. They're fundamental in statistics, economics, science, and everyday decision making.
Tips: Enter numeric values separated by commas (e.g., 5, 10, 15). The calculator will ignore any non-numeric values in the input.
Q1: What's the difference between average and median?
A: Average is the sum divided by count, while median is the middle value when data is ordered. Average is affected by outliers while median is more robust.
Q2: When shouldn't I use average?
A: Avoid average for skewed distributions or when outliers might distort results. Consider median or mode in such cases.
Q3: Can I calculate average of percentages?
A: Yes, but be cautious - sometimes weighted averages are more appropriate for percentages.
Q4: How many decimal places should I use?
A: Generally round to one more decimal place than your original measurements.
Q5: What if I get a divide by zero error?
A: This means you entered no valid numbers. Ensure you've entered at least one numeric value.