David scores 80 on a physics test, 70 on calculus and 90 on chemistry. He wants to determine his average score and executes this calculation:
Mean score = (80 + 70+ 90)/3 = 80
Ashish encounters this problem on her homework. Find the mean of 1,2,4,-5,0 and 6. Note the mix of positive and negative numbers. However, the solution remains the same.
Mean = (1 + 2 + 4 + -5 + 0 + 6) /6 = 1.33
Maalik is given the task of finding the mean of a set of negative integers: -1,-8,-12 and -100 are negative integers (Ref 2). He knows what to do.
Mean = (-1 + -8 + -12 + -100)/4 = -3.25
Even integers are numbers such as 4,8 and -10 that are divisible by 2. Zero is also an even integer. Odd integers such as -1, 3, and 9 are not divisible by 2 (Ref 3). The method for determining the mean remains the same.
For a set of even integers 0,2,-4 and 6
mean=(0 + 2 + -4 + 6)/4 = 4/4 = 1
For a set of odd integers -1, 3, 5 and -7
mean=(-1+3 + 5 + -7)/4 = 0/4 = 0