What is the formula for calculating Average?

The formula for calculating average (arithmetic mean) is:
Average = Sum of all values ÷ Number of values
It represents the central value of a set of numbers and is widely used in exams, sports, weather, economics, and daily life comparisons.

Average Formula Overview

Aspect	Details
Formula	Average = Sum of all values ÷ Number of values
Sum of values	Total of the numbers in the group
Number of values	Count of numbers in the group
Meaning	Represents the central value
Uses	Exams, sports, weather, income, statistics

What is Average in Maths?

In mathematics, an average is a single value that represents the middle or central point of a group of numbers.

For example, if three friends score 70, 80, and 90 marks:
Average = (70 + 80 + 90) ÷ 3 = 240 ÷ 3 = 80

This does not mean each student scored 80, but that 80 is the representative value of the group.

Averages are helpful because they simplify data, making it easier to compare performance, values, or results.

Examples of Average Formula

Example 1: Average of Marks
A student scored 60, 75, and 85 in three subjects. Find the average marks.

Sum = 60 + 75 + 85 = 220
Number of subjects = 3
Average = 220 ÷ 3 = 73.33 marks

The student’s average score is 73.33 marks.

Example 2: Average Speed
A car covers 60 km at 30 km/h and another 60 km at 60 km/h. Find the average speed.

Time for 1st 60 km = 60 ÷ 30 = 2 hours
Time for 2nd 60 km = 60 ÷ 60 = 1 hour
Total distance = 120 km
Total time = 2 + 1 = 3 hours
Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time = 120 ÷ 3 = 40 km/h

The car’s average speed is 40 km/h.

FAQs on Average Formula

1. Why do we use averages in maths?
They simplify a group of numbers into a single value, making comparisons easier.

2. Is the average always equal to one of the values?
No. The average may not be in the dataset (e.g., average of 10 and 20 is 15).

3. What are the types of averages?

Arithmetic Mean (commonly used)
Median (middle value)
Mode (most frequent value)

4. Can averages be misleading?
Yes. Extreme values (very high/low) can skew the average, so median or mode may be more accurate in such cases.

5. How are averages used in real life?