Mean

Mean

Mean[ list ] calculates the mean of the numbers in a list.

Usages

Mean[ list ]

Mean[ list ] calculates the sum of the numbers in list, divided by the number of elements. The elements must be numbers or fractions. In a script, wrap the command in Simplify.

Example in out
The mean of 1, 2 and 3. Simplify[ Mean[ {1, 2, 3} ] ] 2
The result is a fraction if the mean is not an integer. Simplify[ Mean[ {1, 2} ] ] 3/2
The mean of two fractions. Simplify[ Mean[ {1/2, 1/3} ] ] 5/12
Decimal numbers also give a fraction as the result. Simplify[ Mean[ {1.5, 2} ] ] 7/4
Details
  • Single value: Mean[ {5} ] and Mean[ 5 ] both give 5.
  • Without Simplify, the command is not calculated: in a script, Mean[ {1, 2, 3} ] stays Mean[ {1, 2, 3} ].
Invalid input Result
Simplify[ Mean[ {x, 2} ] ] Not calculated: the elements must be numbers or fractions. The result is Mean[x, 2].
Simplify[ Mean[ {Sqrt[2], 2} ] ] Not calculated: roots and other expressions are not supported. The result is Mean[Sqrt[2], 2].

See also: Simplify, CalcPlus, Length