Sample mean

A measure of centre for the distribution of a sample of numerical values. The sample mean is the centre of mass of the values in their distribution.

If the n values in a sample are x1, x2, ... , xn, then the sample mean is calculated by adding the values in the sample are then dividing this total by the number of values. In symbols, the sample mean, x , is calculated by:

For large samples, it is recommended that a calculator or software is used to calculate the mean.

The sample mean is a (sample) statistic and is therefore an estimate of the population mean.

See: mean

Curriculum achievement objectives references

Statistical investigation: Levels 6, 7, 8

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