2

MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

2.1. Introduction
Summarizing of data is necessary in statistical analysis. It is because of the reason that a large

data are not only confusing but also difficult to analyse. Therefore, in order to reduce the
figures
complexity of data and to make data comparable, it is necessary that various phenomena which are being
data. The first of such is
compared. are reduced to a single figure and that contians the 'gist' of the measure

Measures of Central Tendency'. Measures of central tendency is a typical value for the entire group or
data. Since such typical values tend to lie centrally within a set of data arranged according to magnitude.
It
average and hence called measures of central tendency. It describes the characteristics of the entire data.
reduces the complexity and make the data comparable. Measures of central tendency generally referred as
Averages'.
Various statisticians have defined the word average differently. Some of the important definitions are
given below:
1. "Average is a value which is typical or representative of a set of data"
-Murry R.Speigal
2. "Average is an attempt to find one single figure to describe whole offigure".
-Clark and Sekkdde

3. "The average is sometimes described as number which is typical ofthe whole group." -Leabo
4. "An average is only a short way of expressing an arithmetical result."

-Bowley
5. "An average is a single number describing some features ofa set of data."

-Wallis and Roberts

2.2. Classification of Measures of Central Tendeney
Measures of central tendency or averages are broadly classified into two categories. There are

i)Mathematical Average
(ii) Positional Averages
() Mathematical Averages: Mathematical averages contain Arithmetic nmean or simply Mean,
Harmonic Average or Mean and Geometric Mean. These are called mathematical averages since in the
calculation of these average certain mathematical formulas or procedures are used. In the calculation of
these averages it is essential to take note
of each and every item of the data.
(i) Positional Averages : Positional averages include Median and Mode. finding these
the position of certain items in the data is taken into the consideration.
In averug
9
 10 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-Ju
Measures of Central Tendency

Mathematical Averages Positional Average

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Median Mode

Mean Mean Mean

2.3 Arithmetic
Average or Mean
Def. The arithmetic mean, or briefly the mean, of a set of n numbers X1,*2. X3, Xn IS denoted
(read r bar") and is defined as by

*2 +*'3 *...tXn j=l. x

n
In the case of a frequency distribution x; / fi, i=1, 2, ... n. i.e. if the numbers x|,*2..
occur
17 times, respectively (i.e., occur with frequencies .J2
is 1n). the arithmetic mean

+2t.+),

F '
N
fx2
2f
j=l
where N =2f, is the total frequency (i.e., the total
number of cases).
In the case of grouped or continuous frequency distribution, x is taken as the mid value ot the
corresponding class. It is because of the assumption that frequencies are always concentrated at the middk
of class-interval.
Def. Weighted Arithmetie Mean
Sometimes we associate with the numbers Ngw certain weighting factors (or weights)
w.W W, , depending on the significance or importance attached to the numbers. In this case, arithneie
mean is called weighted arithmetie mean.
WXtW, X, t...tW
X
WtW t W,

w
MEASURES OF CENIRAL TENDENCY 11
2.4 Properties of Arithmetic Mean
Property 1: Effect of Change of Origin and Scale:
If each value of the variable is increased by a constant k, then the mean is also
(a) Change of Origin :

increased by the same constant k.

Proof: Let X.*2 b e the variable values having frequencies f1,S2,... fn and each value of the

variable be inereased by a constant k.

Then the variable values becomne xj +k,x'2 +k . X n t k
Let the original mean be defined as

ie. ..(1)
N
where N 2
For the new changed series of data, if F is the new mean, then

n -G,+) . s+k) 2+14]

N N

N N
- F+ k N N
[Using equation ( 1)]
Xn +k 2)

Hence proved.
Similarly, if the data set is decreased by a constant k, then the mean also decreases by the same
constant k.
(b) Change of Scale If each value of the variable is multiplied by the same constant k. then the mean
is also multiplied by the same constant k.
Proof: Let xj.X2 , Xy be the variable values having frequencies f f . f n and each value of the
variable be multiplied by a constant k.
Then the variable values become kxj, kr2,. kx,
Let the original mean be delined as

x .e. N
(1)

where N 2
For the new changed series of data, if , is the new mean, then

Xn
N N
X kx
.2) JUsing equation (1)1
Hence proved.
Similarly, if the data set is divided by a constant k, then the mean also gets divided by ne ne
constant.
12 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II

roperty Il. Algebraic sum of the deviations of a set of values from their arithmetic mean is always
zero.

Or
If x, ifii=1, 2 , . ,n is the frequeney distribution, then

, - T ) =0

being the mean of the distribution.

Proof. The mean ofthe frequency distribution x, Ifi.i= 1,2,n isgiven by

.1)

On considering.

.(2)

Using equation (1) in (2), we get

- ) 2-2/a
=
0 =
R.H.S.
Hence result,

=0 is proved.
i.e. I(x-)
i =|

Property II: The sum of squares of the deviations of a set of values is minimum when taken about
mean.
Or
The sum of the squares of the deviation of a set of numbers x, from any number a is a

minimum if and only if a =X.

Proof: Let X},X2, or ,i1,2..nbe the values ofa variable with frequency , i - 1,2. ....

Let S x - a ) , be the sum of the squares of the deviations, of given values from any

we want to prove that z is minimum when a

=
.
arbitrary point 'a.
 13
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
maxima and minima from differential calculus,
z will be minimum for
Applying the principle of
variations in 'a' if =0 and 0

Now r
Oa , i
-a)-2
and
Oa

2 * -a) =0

...(1)

Again, -22s)-2, 2N>0 .2

Thusz is minimum at the point a = T.

Hence proved.
Property IV : (Means of the Composite Series): If F,~2, a r e the means of k component
series of sizes n,n2.ng, respectively, then the mean of the ecomposite series obtained on
combining the component series is given by the formula
k

F "+n2 X2 t....+n i=1

n+n2t tnk

Proof: Let xi, X12.. X, be n members of the first series;

X21X22,.. X27, be n2 numbers of
the second series be nk members of the kth
,..,
Xk, Xk,
, ,
Xkn, series.
Then, by definition,

( x | +X12 t... +Xl)

1
2 (X21 +X22ttX2,) .(1)

nk
 14
SPECTRUMENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II
The mean ofcomposite series of size n +n2 t..+ n is given by

t i 2 t..tAn+(X21 tX22 t..+X21,)+....+(X*tX2 t .+ Xkn;

Using (1)
n+n2t.+nk
Property V : If A is any assumed arithmetie mean (which may be any arbitrary value) and i
d, X-A are the deviations of x, from A, then the equations

2
1) and 2)
n

become, respectively

i=l = A+

n n

Sd
and f =A + = A

i=l|

where
N- i=l
2
Proof: (a) For a Simple distribution, we have
dx-A * At d
we thus have from (1D
nA +2d
X

A + ..(3)

6) For a frequeney distribution of x, 2,.x, with respective frequencies . to tal

frequency N=, Si,wehave

d nA * x A t d,
 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
We thus have from (2)
15

f I,A+d,)
N N

AS, +f,d,_Af, +E1d

N N

AN+Jd N
=
A+ N

T A +S d
N

Hence proved.
25 Merits and Demerits of Arithmetic Mean
Arithmetic mean as a measure of central tendency has some merits and demerits which are
I. Merits of Arithmetic Mean
( ) t is easy to calculate.
(i) tis rigidly defined.
(ii) It is based on all observations.
(iv) Observations are not to be arranged in order.

(v) It provides a sound basis for comparison of two series

(vil) It is least susceptible to sampling fluctuations
(vii) It is most suitable for further algebraic treatment.
II. Demerits of Arithmetic Mean:
) I t cannot be determined by inspection nor can it be located graphically.

It cannot be used to deal with qualitative characteristics.

(ii)
Arithmetic mean cannot be obtained if a single observation is missing or lost. However, in this
(iii)
cae we can drop out the mis g information and can calculate mean from the remaining data.
(iv) Arithmetic mean is affected very much by extreme values.
it is
(v) Arithmetic means may lead to wrong conclusions if the details ot the data from which
computed are not given.

(vi) Arithmetic mean cannot be corectly calculatedifthe extreme classes are open.
is not a sui
suitadie
extremely asymmetrical (skewed) distribution, usually arithmetic
mean
(V4)n
measure of location.
 16
SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-I.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1. The production of wheat in 10 plots is given below
Plot 2 4 6 8 9 10
Production (in MT): 50 35 65 67 73 81 95 32 87 57
Find the mean
production.
Sol.

50
35
65
67
73
81

95
32
87
57

2x 642
Here n = 10, Z x = 642

2x 642
Now X = 64-2 MT
n 10
Example 2. Find the mean of the squares of first natural numbers.
Sol. Squares offirst ten natural numbers are 1,2,3,.. 10.
10(10+D2 x 10+ )
Their mean
1+2+3 +.. +10 6 { n +)(2n+ 1)
10 10
6

10x11x21
610
38 5.

Example 3. 200 digits were chosen at random trom a set of tables. 'The frequencies of the digits were as
follows
2 3 4
Digit 8 9
18 19 23 21 16
Frequency 25 22 20 21 15
Calculate mean.
 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY 17
Sol.
Digit Frequency

18 0

19 19
23 46
21 63
16 64

25 125
22 132
20 140

21 168
9 15 135
N 200
4fN0) fr 892

mean L892 4-46.

N 200
Example 4. The measurements (in mm) of the diameters of the heads of l107 screws gave the following
frequencytable
Diameter Frequency
-35
36 38 19
39-41 23
42 44 21
45- 47 27
Calculate the mean head diameter per screw.
Sol. Take A =40, h=3
Diameter Mid-value Frequency
d=A.

33 35
Sd
34 17 B4
36 38 37 19 19
3941 40 0
23 0
42 44 43 21 21
45 47 46 27 54
N 107
2fd-22
66
-
A+ 2fd
N -40 107(22) 40 +
40 +0-6 = 40-6 mm
(approx.)
107
mean head diameter per serew 40-6 mm
(approx.).
 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II

18

Example 5. Calculate mean from the following data.

40-50 50-60
30-40
Marks 0-10 10-20 20-30
10 5
8
No. of Students: 5
Sol.
Marks d d-d,h
h 10
- 15
-30 -3
5 5
0-10 - 14
7 -20 -2
10-20 15 -8
- 10
20-30
8
10 0
30-40 35J 10
45 5
40-50 10
20
50-60 55
,d--22
40

Using the formula,

xh, where, A =35 and h= 10,

we get
A
=A+ Ef
-35 x10 =35-
2
35-5-5 -29 5.
40
for the following data
Example 6. Find the average age Number of Males (in Lakhs)
Age Group (in years)
447
5-14 307
15-24
279
25-351 220
35-44
I57
45-54 91
5-64 39
65-74
Sol.
Age Group 4 A d, h
h 10
30 - 1341
5-14-5 9.5 447
145 24 5 19.5 307 20 -614

24 5 34 5 29 5 279 10 -279
345 44 5
39-5 220 0

44 5 - 54-5 49 5 157 10 157

545-64 5 59 5 91 20 2 182
64 5 74 5 69 5 39 30 117

21540 1778
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY 19

sing X =
A / d Xh, where A = 39.5 and h = 10

we get, X 39.5+1778) 10
1540

39.5 1778
154

39-5 11-55
27.95
which is the required mean.
Example 7. Calculate the mean from the following data :

Class Interval
Frequency

0-5 5
.5-15 10
15-25 2
25 30

30-40 6

Sol. Here, we have data with unequal class intervals.

Writing the data in tabular form and
redividing the
class intervals to equalize them, we get

Class New Class

Intervals Intervals d,xA Sd
05 5 2.5 -17.5 -37 5

10 10 -10 -100
-1
2 0

15 2 5>
20 0
20 2 5
25 30 27.5 7-5 37:5
30 3 5
30 4 0
35 15 90
35 40 3
Ef 28
1,d, - 60
20 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II
Using the formula

A , where A =20, we get

X 20+ 20-2:14 17.86

28
Note. In calculating the mean in such a case, the adjustment of frequencies is not desirable. The same

procedure is adopted as for the equal class intervals.

Example 8. Calculate the Arithmetic average for following data

Marks (more than): 70 60 50 40 30 20
18 40 40 63 65
No. of Students 7
have to change it to the frequency
Sol. The given data is given in cumulative frequency form. First we

form.
Marks
Frequency (J) d -A d h d,h
10
-30 -6
20-30 65 6 3 2 .25
35 -20 -46.
30-40 63 40-23
40 4 0 = 0 45 - 10 0
40 5 0
0
50 6 0 40 18= 55 0 0

18 7 11 65 10 11
60 70
20 2 14
70 800 7 75
65 fd-27

Now, X =A 2J x h where A= 55 and h =

10

55 + 10 =55 - 4 15 =50 85.

(Note Similar procedure can be adopted for less than cumulative frequency data)
Example 9. From the following data, find the missing frequency when mean is 15.38
Size 10 12 14 16 18 20
20 8
Frequency:
Sol. Let missing frequency be x
Size (x,)
10 30
12 84
14 14 x
16 20 320
18 8 144
20 100

f43 +x x f 6 7 8 + 14x
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
21
Given X 15.382/,

678+14r
1538
43+r
(43+) 1 5 38) = 678 + 14 x

661 34 + 15 38 x = 678 + 14x

(15 38 14).x= 678 661 34

1 38 x =
16 66 X= 16.66 12:07
1:38

x 12
Example 10. Calculate mean from the following data

Marks below 15 15-20D 20-30 30-35 35-40 above 40

No. of Students: 3 7 10 8 3 2
Sol. Here, we have the data with open end classes. We simply close the open intervals by making a class of
equal size as all other classes. Without this we shall not be able to calculate mean.

Marks
d, A fd,
10 15 3 12 5 -20 -60
15 2 0 7 17.5 -15 - 105

20 30 10 25 -7.5 -75
30 3 5 8
32-5 0

35 4 0 37 5 15
40 45 2 42 5 10 20

2/, 33 f,d, 205

X A 1,4,
+

X 32.5,-205) U - 32 5- 205 - 325- 6 212 263

33 35

Example 11. Find the class intervals if the A.M. of following distribution is 33 and assumed
and the data is
mean is S

Step-deviation -2 -

0
Frequency 10 25 30 20 10
22 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATIKS-
Sol.

d,
-3 -15

-2 10 -20
-25
-1 25
0 30
20 20

10 20
2

=100 f,4,- 20
2J,
By def, X =A+ xh, where h is the class size

-2 xh
33 35 + xh
100
h 10
with h 10 as step
lies in the middle of a particular class interval
We know that assumed
mean

deviation or class-size.
limit of this class are
The lower limit and upper

35 + =40
upper limit
=

30 and
lower limit - 35
is 30 400
i.e.
ie. one ofthe class
the other classes will be
In the similar way,
50, 50 60.
20 30,30 40,40
-
-

Q- 10, 10-20,
of 100 students were found to be 40, later on it was discovered that a sco
mean marks
Evample 12. The corresponding to correct score.
& find the correct mean
was misread as
of 53
100
of students
=
n
total number
Sol. Here,
X = Incorrect mean =40
Let
Incorrect 2x,
40
n

Incorrect ( E x , ) = 4 0 X n= 40 x 100 = 4000

Corrected (2x,) = Incorrect , - Incorrect value + Correct value

4000 83 +53 3970

Corrected mean = Corrected (2x,)3 =39-7.
n 100
MEASU RES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY 23
Example 13. The mean of 10 numbers is 7 and mean of 15 other numbers is 12. Determine the mean of
25 numbers taken together.
Sol. Mean of 10 numbers 7 X10
Total of 10 numbers =
10 x 7 70
Again mean of 15
numbers = 12 Xs
Total of 15 numbers 15 x 12 180
Let n10; n^= 15
Then n =n1 +n2= 10+ 15 =25
70+180
Combined mean of 25 numbers "110 *"215 =

= 10.
n +n2 25
Example 14. The average salary of male employees in a firm was 5,200 and that of female was 4,200.
The mean salary of all the employees was 5,000. Find the and females percentage of males employees.
Sol. Combined mean, X =

5,000.
Let X, =
mean salary of males =5,200
X2 mean salary of females = 4,200

Let n, be the number of males and n, be the number of females

n+n2

5000 O200) + n, (4200)

( n +n,) 5000 - 5200 n +4200 n,

(5200 S000) =(5000-4200) n

(200),=(800) n,

percentage of males (n,) " x100 x 100 80%

n,
percentage of females ( n,) x 100 x 100 20%.
n+n2
Example 15. A particular job requires the knowledge of Statistics, Mathematics, Economics and English.
But the relative importance of these subject is not the same. Two candidates, A and B appeared in a test to
get the job. The marks (out of 100) and weights are given as
Subject Statistics Mathematics Economies English
Marks of A 62 65 60 48
Marks ofB 63 70 55 40
Weight 5 4 2
Who will get the job?
24 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-N
Sol.

Subject Weight Marks of A Marks of B

Statistics 5 62 63
Mathematics A 65 70
Economics 60 55
English 48 40

Weighted mean of A 5x62+4 x65+2x 60+ 1x 48 310+260 +120 +48 738

=61-5
5+4+2 +1 12 12

Weighted mean of B 5x63+4x70+2x55+1lx40 315+280+110+40

5 +4+2+1
=
62-08
12 12

weighted mean of B is higher

he should get the job.

EXERCISE 2 (a)
1. Find the average of first ten even positive integers.
2. Find the mean of the squares of first n natural numbers.
The mean of n numbers of a series is x and the sum of first (n - 1) numbers is k. Find the valz

of the last number.

Prove that (r1 - T)+ (x2 - T)+.. +(x-x)=0
4.
If x is the mean o f x , x2 , . . . . . . , Xn , show t h a t t h e mean o f X1 t a, X a , . . . X n t a is r+as
5.
x +a where a is any number positive or negative.

is where a
6. If x is the mean of xi , X2, ......, Xn ,
show that the mean of ari, a X,.. axy a x,

from
any number different
zero.

Following is the frequency distribution of children in 304 families :

7.

No. of children Frequeney

43
0

64

8
4
34

304
Total
Find the mean number of children per family.
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY 25
8. The ages of all the male inhabitants of a village were recorded and the following frequency table
was obtained
Age (years) No. of persons
0-5 12
5-10 18
10 20 16
20 30 19
30-40 14
40 50 11
50-60 4
60- 80
Obtain the mean age per male inhabitant.
9. Calculate the A.M. of the distribution

Class interval 10-20 20 40 40 70 70-120 120 200

Frequency 4 10 26 8 2
10. Calculate the mean from the following data:

Income between No. of Persons

100 200 15
100 300 33
100-400 63

100-500 83
100 600 100
11. An examination washeld to decide the award of a scholarship. The weights
given to various
subjects were different. Only 3 applicants for the scholarship obtained over 50% marks in each
subject. The mrks were as follows:

Subject Weight Marks of A Marks of B Marks of C

Statistics 4 63 60 65
Accountancy 3 65 64 70
Economics 2 58 56 63
English 70 80 52
If the
candidates getting the highest marks is to be awarded the
scholarship, who should get it ?
2 The A.M. of 100 students was given 45. But later on it was found that the marks f a student o
were
wrongly misread as 46'. Calculate the correct mean.
 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-I
26
Calculation the missing frequency against the class interval 30 4 0 for the data given below
13.
where -28.
Class intervals 0-10 10-20 20 30 30 40 40 50 50 60
12 18 27 17 6
Frequency

ANSWERS
2.
(n+2)(2n+ 1) 3. nT-k
1. 11 7. 2-4 approx.
6

9. 24-16 years 9. 57-4 10. 356 11. C

12. 4518 13. 20

2.6 Geometric Mean

Definition: The geometric mean G of a set ofn positive numbers x1,X2,.xn is the nth root ofthe
product of the number i.e., mathematically

Also, if the data is of the form of a frequency distribution x, 1f, G= 1,2,. n), then the geomet:

mean, G is

G )N

where N
i=l

of the numbers 2, 4 and 8 is

Example. The geometric mean

G 2)(4) (8) =V64 =4.

boW
is facilitated by use of logarithms. Taking logarithm of
of geometric mean
Note (a) The computation
sides of ( ) , we get

log G = - (log x1 + logx2 t.

t log x,)

logG logx,
i=

G Antilog log,
 MEASU RES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
27
(b) For a
frequency distribution : In case of frequency distribution
x , . i =1,2... n), the geometric mean, G is

G- . N where N
i=l

Taking logarithms of both sides, we get

logG N Glogxi+/2 logx2 +...+f, logx,) -

2Slog x
G Antilog
f logX
i=l

(c) Formula for calculation of G.M. in Continuous Series.

G.M. =
A.L. 2 /log m '
where 'm' stands for middle value of the class intervals.
N
(d) Formula for Calculation of weighted G.M.
G.M = A.L,2Wlog X where W' stands for weights given to various items.
W
(e) Formula for finding the Average Rate of Growth

P Po( 1 +ry"
Where Pn= Value of the variable at the end of n years.
Po= Value of the variable at the beginning.
r= Rate of increase per unit.
n= Number of years.
(f) Formula for finding Average Rate of Decrease or Depreciation.

P,- Po (1 -r)".
where P, Po , r and n are similar to the formula for rate of growth given above.
2.7 Properties of Geometric Mean
PropertyI. Logarithm of geometric mean is the arithmetie mean of the logarithms of the given
values
Proof: Let x, |S (i= 1,2.. n)be a discrete frequency distribution, then geometric mean G is

G-x N where N E

Taking logarithms of both sides, we get

log G A logx+/ logx2 tSn log *,)

N

which proves the desired result.

 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II|
28
mean G of the combined series is
Property II. If n and n2 are the sizes, G, and G, the geometric

given by
log G " log G tn2 log G2
n2
respectively.
x2, :G=1,2, n2)benj and n, items of two series
:(i=1,2,.., n) and
.,
TOOTLet
Xi

Then by def.

logG logX
G (112

and G (*21*X22. ¥2n2

log G log2j

The geometric mean G of the combined series is given by

tn)
G (11 X12. *21 *22.2n,)

Taking log on both sides, we get

log G n +n2o g
log+log*2
i=l|

logG= ( n log G +n2 log G2)

n +n2

Antilog| logG
+n2 log G2
G
n +n2

Hence, result.
observa
means of k groups having n^,n2 ,..
Cor.: In general, if G;, G2,.., G; are the geometric
observatio-
combined group consisting of nj +n t.. +n
respectively, the geometric mean G of the
given by

n logG +n2 log G2t+n log (G

G Antilog n t n2 t . t n

then the geon

Property III : Inverse Property: If G is the geometric mean of x1,*2,.
observations . is
mean ofthe inverse n G
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
29
Proof: By Def, Geometrie Mean G =

x1 *2...
Let G 2

Then G=
x1X2.Xn
G=,
G
Hence proved.
2.8 Merits, Demerits and Uses of Geometric Mean
I. Merits of G.M. : The merits of
G.M. are as follows:
Itis rigidly defined.
(i) It is based upon all the observations
(ii) It is suitable for further mathematical treatment.
(i) It is not affected much by fluctuations of sampling.
() t gives comparatively more weight to small items.
l. Demerits of G.M.: The demerits of G.M. are as follows
(i)Its calculation is cumbersome and complicated.
(ii) It cannot be calculated if any of the observed value in the set is zero.
(iii) If any one or more values are negative, either geometric mean will not be calculated or an
absurd value will be obtained.
III. Uses: G.M. as a measure of central tendency is useful in the following cases:
() To find the rate of population growth and the rate of interest.
(i) In the construction of index numbers.
(iii) Useful when only a few items in a distribution are changing. In such a case it is more stable than
the arithmetic mean.

ILLUSTRATIVEEXAMPLES
Example 1. Calculate geometric mean of following series for monthly expenditure in Rupees of a batch of
10 students.
125 130 75 10 45 5 0-5 0-4 500 150
Sol.
logX
125 2-0969
130 2:1139
75 1-8751
10 1-0000
45 1-6532
0-6990
0-5 16990
0.4 T-6021
500 2-6990
150 2:1761
2 log X 13:6143
30 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-II

G. M. =
A. L2Og X=A 136143
10

= A.L. ( 1-36143)
=
A.L. ( 1-3614)

22.98
obtained in a simple enquiry. Calculate
table gives the diameters of
screws
Example 2. The following
mean diameter using geometric average.
149 150 157
157
140 145 146 148
130 135
Diameter (mm):
2 1
4 6 6 3
No. of Screws

Sol.

(X) Diameter (mm) ONo. Screws

of log X Slog X)
130 3 21139 6-3417

135 4 2-1303 8-5212

6 2.1461 12-8766
140

145 2.1614 12-9684

146 3 2.1644 6-4932

148 2.1703 10-8515

149 2 2-1732 43464

150 2-1761 2-1761

157 2.1959 22-1959

N 31 2log X 66-7710

G.M.- A.L. 2/log XA-A..00 =A.L. ( (2. 1539)= 142.5 m.m.

G.M.= A,L.
N 31

Example 3. Determine the geometric mean of the following data

Wages No. of Workers Wages No. of Workers

(T)
200 220 260 280 25
220-240 16 280 300 25

240 2 6 0 20 300-320 10
 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY 31
Sol.
Wages M.V. (m) No. of workers log m f. log mn

200 220 210 4 2-3222 9-2888

220 240 230 16 2-3617 37-7872
240 260 250 20 2-3979 47.9580
260 280 270 25 2-4314 60-7850
280 300 290 25 2-4624 61-5600
300 320 310 10 2-4914 24.9140
N 100 2flog m
=
242-293

G.M.-A.L2 logm =A.L. 242 295= A.L. ( 2.42293)

N 100
A.L. ( 2.4229) =264 8
Example 4. The value of a machine decreases at a constant rate from the cost price of 10000 to the scrap
value of 1000 in a period of 10 years. Find the annual percentage rate of decrease per hundred.
Sol. Letr be the rate of decrease per unit per year.
P 1000. Po= 10000, n= 10
Using the formula
P Po((1-ry
1000 10000 ( 1 -r)
= 10(1 -r)o
Taking log on both sides
log(1-r)"+log 10=log
log (1-r) =- -1 I19 =

1 - r = A.L. ( 1.9) = 7943

r2057 per unit 20.57%

Example 5. The geometric mean of 10 observations on a certain variable was calculated as 16 2. It was
later discovered that one of the observations was wrongly recorded as 12.9; in fact it was 21-9. Apply
appropriate correction and calculate the correct geometric mean.
Sol. The geometric mean G of n observations ,*2, is given by

G (X.X2, ) /n ..(1)
It x is the observation copied wrongly instead of correct value ai, then the corrected geometric
mean G is given by

G= (xx2 **3'..x"" -
.(2)

[Using (1)]1
 SPECTRUM ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS-
32
x =21.9.
In
the given problem, G
=
16:2, n= 10, x= 12.9,

corrected G.M. G' =

l6-2 x 21-9
12.9

logG =log 16-2+log

10
21-9- log 12-9]

1-2095 10
1-3404-1-1106) = 1-2324
G' Antilog (1 2 3 2 5 ) = 17.08.

EXERCISE 2 (b)
1. Calculate the geometric mean of the following two series:

2574, 475, 75, 5, 8, 08, -005, -0009

2. Find the Geometric Mean from the following data

10 20 30 40 50 60
X:
12 15 25 10 6 2
f:
3. From the following data calculate G.M.
7 8 9 10 11 12
Size ofitem 6

Frequency: 8 12 18 26 16 12 8

4. Find the geometric mean ofthe following data:

Marks: 0- 10 10-20 20 30 30 40 40 50

5 9 10 16 4
Students:
5. Find the Geometric mean of the following frequency distribution.
Marks: 0- 10 10 20 20 3 0 30-40

No. of students: 5 8 3 4

ANSWERS
1 .1. 1-841 2. 25-29 3. 8-822 4 . 4. 22-37 5. 14-57

2.9 Harmonic Mean (H.M.)

Def. The harmonic mean H of a number of observations (none of which is zero) is the reciprocal o

arithmetic mean of the reciprocals of the given values. Thus, harmonic mean (H), of n observations X
1 , . n is given by :