Talk:Mean

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Just curious... Why not include the simple arithmetic process of finding the mean of a set of numbers? Some people don't understand Summation.

We already have a worked example for the arithmetic mean. I reverted your additions, for several reasons: First of all, you talk about two "methods" when in fact there is no principled difference between those "methods", it's just a difference in notation. Second, the bit about rounding the mean value to the nearest integer is just plain wrong: the mean age of a group is a well-defined concept. If you don't want a fractional answer, the concept you're looking for might be the median. --MarkSweep✍ 05:45, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

There is a difference, Mark. I used the phrase "simple" arithmetic process. Someone may want to find the mean of a set of numbers, but if they do not understand Summation, then they do not understand the process used. Perhaps you could write out the process in summation so it would be easier. I know this site isn't a math lesson, but it would simply be helpful.

And if you have a number of people, you can't have eight tenths of a person, unless they are in a casket with no head. My reasoning for rounding is that having only part of a person is impossible. In other situations, such as classroom grades, having a mean of 75.8 would be totally reasonable. In the given situation, it was not.

I must respectfully disagree with your edit, but I will leave it.

Contents

[edit] can i know the reason

Hi,

Can I know the reason for revertig the link Dynamic arithmetic mean, median, mode calculator

Was it irrevlevant?

The calculator link did not strike me as particularly helpful, and the page has a lot of ads on it. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 06:22, 4 November 2005 (UTC)


Not helpfull??? Ok, I will not bother wiki with more links....

Better reason: the calculator is incorrect. For example, the median of the list (1,2,2,3,4,4,5) is 3. It isn't 4 as your link suggests. So thanks for not bothering us with more disreputable links. Silly rabbit 23:10, 23 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Relationship between different types of mean

I hase described these here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Average#Relationship_between_different_types_of_mean

I would be very happy if someone could check them and add them to either article.

thanks.

[edit] The Rational Mean

The Rational Mean is the unifying concept which embraces all known Means and the most simple principle for generating high-order root-solving methods, as shown at: The Rational Mean

So, it is disturbing to realize so many people seem unaware of this basic arithmetical principles and methods. —Preceding unsigned comment added by [[User:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]] ([[User talk:{{{1}}}|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/{{{1}}}|contribs]])

[edit] Population mean

Population mean redirects here, but this page seems to say that population mean is another term for the expected value. Looking at the Arithmetic mean, and *its* definition of a population mean, I don't think this page is correct. Fresheneesz 01:06, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

I added a section on Sample means, which also redirects here with no explanation of how the sample mean is a random variable, etc. I added it under Examples of Means, but perhaps a new section should be started called "population and sample means"? -- Vince 15:32, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

ok, created that section. I placed it at the bottom, but perhaps it can be fit in the article better. This takes care of the problem of sample mean and population mean redirecting to this article, which may have left some statistics students confused. --Vince |Talk| 21:22, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] More motivation and elementary discussion seems to be required

This article really needs a little motivation for people who may not be the most mathematically inclined readers. It shouldn't be too hard to introduce arithmetic means in a way that an elementary school student can understand (in principle anyway). I don't want to try to tackle this now, because I'm already involved in other projects, but it is something to consider. Silly rabbit 10:38, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I don't think this page could get any more or less mathematical. See also arithmetic mean, and Wikibooks:Statistics, which both show really simple examples. +mt 05:43, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Doubt

There are things like Upper Quartile, Lower Quartile, Inter Queartile etc. But does anyone know about Decile? I have heard of this before. Does anyone know what it is? I have no idea. Indianescence (talk) 09:52, 21 January 2008 (UTC)

Quartiles and deciles are related, but different statistical measures. The best way to understand them is to follow examples, and calculate them yourself. An elementary stats book is recommended. +mt 05:43, 18 February 2008 (UTC)