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Sometimes you have to look for middle ground. That is the purpose of averages. An average will indicate what would be in the center of a list of numbers.
To calculate the average of a list of numbers, first add all of the numbers together. The next step would be to divide this sum by the number of items added.
Bear with me as I do some examples illustrating this concept, and then I'll let you compute averages on your own,
Find the average of 33, 17, 21, 42, and 32
We have 5 numbers to add
33 + 17 + 21 + 42 + 32 = 145
The average = (The sum)/(The number of items added) = 145/5 = 29
If we listed the numbers in this list in sequence we would have
Our average of 29 would fall in the middle of this list.
Find the average of 212, 314, 138, and 444
We have 4 numbers to add
212 + 314 + 138 + 444 = 1108
The average = (The sum)/(The number of items added) = 1108/4 = 277
If we listed the numbers in this list in sequence we would have
Outr average of 227 would fall in the middle of this list.
Ready to take some averages? It's your turn again
Click on the "generate an average problem" button to see your exercise. Place your answer in the text box and then click the "check my answer" button. The computer will then tell you whether or not your answer is correct.
After you complete the problem, you can generate another problem by first clicking the "reset button" and then clicking the "generate an average problem" button. Continue as many times as you wish, and then: