“Teach A Level Maths”

Yr1/AS Statistics

11 The Mean with Frequencies

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“Ppt 11 The Mean with frequencies”

© Christine Crisp
 Finding the Mean
Reminder: The arithmetic mean of a set of numbers is the
average.
We refer to it simply as the mean.
e.g. Find the mean of the numbers 7, 11, 4, 9, 4
Solution:
7  11  4  9  4
mean   7
5

As a formula, we write: mean, x 

 x
n
 is the Greek capital letter S and stands for S um

It is read as “sigma”, so the formula is

“sigma x divided by n”

( The s um of the x values divided by the n umber of xs. )

 Finding the Mean
Adapting the Formula
e.g. Find the mean of the following data:
x 1 2 3
Frequency, f 3 5 2
We still need to add up the x values and divide by the
number of xs. However, we have more than one of each
x value.
The frequencies show we have 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3

so, mean, x
 x

111 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
n 10
31  5 2  2 3
More simply, x 
10
This is written as x 
 fx
or
 xf
f f
 Finding the Mean

x 1 2 3
Frequency, f 3 5 2

mean, x
 fx
or
 xf
f f
I’m going to use the 2nd for 2 reasons:
• x comes first in the tables so xf is in a logical order,
• this order should avoid a common error in another
formula that we will meet soon.

So, mean, x
 xf

1 3  2  5  3  2
 1 9
f 10
 Finding the Mean
Using a Calculator
It’s really important to use your calculator efficiently,
particularly in Statistics.
Suppose we have the following data:
x 12 16 18 22 27
x
 xf
mean,
f 5 8 9 6 2 f
Instead of using the calculator to multiply each x by f, we
enter the data as lists or cards ( depending on which
calculator we have ). You will need the Statistics option.

Try this now with the above data.

 Finding the Mean
Using a Calculator
It’s really important to use your calculator efficiently,
particularly in Statistics.
Suppose we have the following data:
x 12 16 18 22 27
x
 xf
mean,
f 5 8 9 6 2 f
Now go back through the data to check that you have
entered the correct numbers before continuing.
This is tedious but essential ( every time )!
Next select the menu that shows the results and you
will find x and other results we will use later.
We get x  17  9 ( 3 s.f. )
( We usually give answers to 3 s.f. )
 Finding the Mean

You also need to be able to do the previous calculation

using a spreadsheet.

Below is a link to instructions to Excel for doing the

calculation. The instructions are included.

x 12 16 18 22 27
f 5 8 9 6 2

Mean of Frequency data

 SUMMARY Finding the Mean

 Finding the Mean:

• For simple data x

 x
n

• x
 xf
For frequency data
f
• For grouped data use the frequency data formula,
taking each x to be the mid-point of the group.
( Remember that for ages, the group boundaries are
not the same as with other data. )
 Calculator use: Enter x and f values and use statistical
functions to find the answer.
 Unless told otherwise, answers are given to 3 s.f.
 Finding the Mean
Exercise
1. Open a new Excel Workbook, save it with a sensible
name. Click + at the bottom where the sheets are
named and right click, select rename to change the name
of the first sheet to Means.
Copy and paste the tables below by using Ctrl+C on the
edge of each table, then Paste Special, HTML in the
Spreadsheet.
(a) x 5 7 11 13 14 Use the function “Average”

(b) x 1 2 3 4 5 6 Don’t do any

multiplying or
f 1 8 13 17 10 11 adding yourself!
You will need another row in the table.

(If you get stuck you can click for a method) Solutions
 Finding the Mean
Solutions:

1. 5, 7, 11, 13, 14
Solution: x
 x
 10
n

2. x 1 2 3 4 5 6
f 1 8 13 17 10 11

Solution: x
 xf
 4
f
The following slides contain repeats of
information on earlier slides, shown without
colour, so that they can be printed and
photocopied.
For most purposes the slides can be printed
as “Handouts” with up to 6 slides per sheet.
 Finding the Mean
SUMMARY
 Finding the Mean:

• For simple data x

 x
n
• For frequency data x
 xf
f
• For grouped data use the frequency data formula,
taking each x to be the mid-point of the group.
( Remember that for ages, the group boundaries are
not the same as with other data. )
 Calculator use: Enter x and f values and use statistical
functions to find the answer.
 Unless told otherwise, answers are given to 3 s.f.