Statistics Examples Average Descriptive Statistics

Find the Mean Absolute Deviation

$- 3$ , $5$ , $2.5$ , $- 0.5$

Step 1

Find the mean value.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.1

The mean of a set of numbers is the sum divided by the number of terms.

$\frac{- 3 + 5 + 2.5 - 0.5}{4}$

Step 1.2

Simplify the numerator.

Tap for more steps...

Step 1.2.1

Add $- 3$ and $5$ .

$\frac{2 + 2.5 - 0.5}{4}$

Step 1.2.2

Add $2$ and $2.5$ .

$\frac{4.5 - 0.5}{4}$

Step 1.2.3

Subtract $0.5$ from $4.5$ .

$\frac{4}{4}$

Step 1.3

Divide $4$ by $4$ .

$1$

Step 1.4

Divide.

$1$

Step 2

Calculate the distance between each data point and the mean. These are called absolute deviations.

$\begin{array}{c} Data point & Distance from mean \\ - 3 & | - 3 - 1 | = 4 \\ 5 & | 5 - 1 | = 4 \\ 2.5 & | 2.5 - 1 | = 1.5 \\ - 0.5 & | - 0.5 - 1 | = 1.5 \end{array}$

Step 3

Sum all absolute deviations.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Add $4$ and $4$ .

$8 + 1.5 + 1.5$

Step 3.2

Add $8$ and $1.5$ .

$9.5 + 1.5$

Step 3.3

Add $9.5$ and $1.5$ .

$11$

Step 4

Divide the sum by the number of data points.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.1

Divide $11$ by $4$ .

$2.75$

Enter YOUR Problem

Average Descriptive Statistics

More step-by-step Statistics examples from this chapter.

How to Use Step-by-Step Examples

Read the worked problem

Each example starts from a real Statistics problem and shows the rule or formula it relies on.

Follow every step

Work through the solution line by line. Underlined terms open a glossary definition.

Solve your own problem

Enter a similar problem in the Statistics solver to get the answer with steps.

Why use Mathway?

Step-by-step solutions

See how every answer is worked out, not just the result.

Every major math subject

From basic math through calculus, statistics and chemistry.

Accurate results

Answers you can check your homework against.

Trusted by students

A reliable tool for homework and learning.

Find the Mean Absolute Deviation

Average Descriptive Statistics

How to Use Step-by-Step Examples

Why use Mathway?

Explore More Statistics Help