How do you find the mean of a data set?

To find the mean of a data set, you need to follow a simple process:

1. Sum all the numbers: Add together all the values in your data set. This total is referred to as the sum.
2. Count the numbers: Determine how many numbers are in your data set. This will be the count.
3. Divide the sum by the count: Take the sum you calculated and divide it by the count of numbers. This will give you the mean (or average) of the data set.

Example: If your data set is 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10:

• Sum = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 = 30
• Count = 5 (there are five numbers)
• Mean = 30 / 5 = 6

Thus, the mean of this data set is 6. The mean provides a central value of the data that is useful in understanding the distribution of the numbers.