AVERAGES
Review of Introductory Mathematics
AVERAGES
This chapter covers the concept of averages and how to calculate the average of
a given set of data.
EO 1.3
Given a set of numbers, CALCULATE the average
value.
An average is the sum of a group of numbers or quantities divided by the number of numbers
or quantities. Averages are helpful when summarizing or generalizing a condition resulting from
different conditions. For example, when analyzing reactor power level, it may be helpful to use
the average power for a day, a week, or a month. The average can be used as a generalization
of the reactor power for the day, week, or month.
Average calculations involve the following steps:
Step 1: Add the individual numbers or quantities.
Step 2: Count the number of numbers or quantities.
Step 3: Divide the sum in Step 1 by the number in Step 2.
Example 1:
Find the average cost of a car, given the following list of prices.
,200; ,300; ,900; ,000; ,000; ,600
Solution:
Step 1: 10200 + 11300 + 9900 + 12000 + 18000 + 7600 = 69000
Step 2: Total number of prices is 6
Step 3: Divide 69000 by 6. The result is 11500
Thus, the average price of the six cars is ,500.
Example 2:
Find the average temperature if the following values were recorded: 600°F, 596°F, 597°F,
603°F
Solution:
Step 1: 600 + 596 + 597 + 603 = 2396
Step 2: The number of items is 4.
Step 3: 2396/4 = 599°F
MA-01
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