How to Figure an Average Between Four Numbers

Finding the Mean

• 1

  Write down four numbers in a group. For example, find the average of 12, 14, 15 and 15.

• 2

  Add the numbers in the group together. For example, the sum would be 12 + 14 + 15 + 15 = 56.

• 3

  Divide the sum by the number of values in the group. For example, the group has four numbers in it. 56/4 = 14. This is the mean average.

Finding the Median

• 4

  Write the numbers in order from the smallest value to the largest value. For example, 12, 14, 15, 15.

• 5

  Find the middle number on the line. For an odd number of values, it will be the number in the center of the line. For an even number of values, it will be halfway between the two center numbers. In the example, the two middle numbers are 14 and 15.

• 6

  For an even number of values, add together the two middle values, then divide by two. For example, (14 + 15)/2 = 14.5. This is the median average.

Finding the Mode

• 7

  Write down the group of numbers. For example, 12, 14, 15, 15.

• 8

  Look to see if any number appears on the list more than once. In the example, 15 occurs twice. This is the average mode.

• 9

  If more than one number appears more than once, choose the number that appears the most times.