How to Find the Mean?

In statistics, the mean is the average of a set of data or series of numbers. To find the mean, we sum all the numbers and divide them by the number of items in the set.

The method looks easy but it gets a little tricky with variations in the number series. If you thought that calculating standard deviation was the most difficult one you came across till now, wait till you finish reading this one.


#1. How to Find the Mean in Excel

In the case of large data, using excel is the easiest way out. Here are the simple steps to find mean using excel.

- Use the "AVERAGE" function in Excel to find the average of a set of numbers. Enter the series of figures in your Excel spreadsheet. Click on the box where you want the mean or Average to appear.

- Click "Formulas" and choose the "Insert Function" tab. Enter the numbers in your Excel sheet in a row or a column whichever way you want it to appear in.

- Scroll down and select the "Average" function.

- Enter the cell range for your list of numbers in the 1st box, for Eg: C4: C13 and then click "OK."

- The mean for the list will appear in the cell that you selected.



#2. How to Find the Mean of a Histogram



#3. How to Find the Mean of a Sampling Distribution