How to Find the Average of a Set of Numbers

Using a calculator to find the average.

Finding the average of a set of numbers requires the ability to add and divide. The arithmetic mean is computed by adding a set of numbers and dividing the answer by the physical count of numbers in the set. The average is the center of a number group in statistical distribution. The term "average" is also known as the "mean."

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Write down the set of numbers to be averaged.

2. Add the set of numbers together and total. Write down the answer.

3. Count the amount of numbers in the set.

4. Divide the total of the numbers in the set by the amount of numbers in the set. This answer is the average or mean of the set of numbers.

   An example would be a set of 10 numbers that when added together equaled 50. The answer 50 would be divided by 10 to get an average of 5.

References

• Washington.edu: Statistics By The Numbers
• TLS Books: Find the Average
• Easy Calculation: Mean Meadian Mode Calculator

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Ask Dr. Math: Middle School Statistics