Everyday maths, explained
Many numbers.
One clear average.
Find the arithmetic mean of a list of numbers. See your answer and the steps that get you there.
✳A LITTLE CLARITY
120 ÷ 5 =24
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Clear answers · Simple stepsA little understanding
Let’s make the numbers make sense.
An equal share of the total
The arithmetic mean is what each entry would be if you shared the total equally. For 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36, the sum is 120. Divide 120 by the five entries to get an average of 24.
Arithmetic mean = sum of all numbers ÷ number of entries
Each entry has equal weight here. A large or small outlier can pull the mean away from most values. If your values have different weights, such as subjects with different credits, this simple average may not be the right calculation.
How should I enter my numbers?
Separate entries with commas, spaces or new lines. Write 1500 as 1500, without a grouping comma: 1,500 would be read as two entries, 1 and 500.
Do zeros count?
Yes. The mean of 0 and 10 is 5 because both entries count. Leave out a value only if it should not be part of your data.
Is mean the same as median?
No. The mean is the sum divided by the count. The median is the middle value after sorting the entries. This calculator finds the mean.