Finding Averages
To find averages is really easy. And you really need to know
how to do this.
Here is some data I collected
25
30
27
19
First: Add up all of your numbers to get a sum.
25 + 27 + 30 + 19 = 101
sum
Second: count the number of numbers in the data table you have
I have 4 numbers.
Third and Finally:
Divide the sum by the total numbers of numbers
101/4 = 25.25 is my average to the nearest 100th.
Be careful how you use your calculator. Push enter before you try to divide!
Sometimes the question may ask me to round the number.
● To the 10th --I could round to the nearest 10th = 25.3
● To a whole number- I could round to the nearest whole number = 25.
Here is another tip:
You can check to see if your average makes sense by comparing the average you got to the lowest
and the highest number in the data set.
You average should fall in between the highest and lowest number.
Notice in my example that my average is 25 (rounded to a whole number)
My lowest number in the data table is 19
My highest number in the data table is 30.
If your average is lower than the lowest number or higher than the highest number you have made a
mistake somewhere and you need to recheck it.