audio read-through Average of Signed Numbers

Need some basic practice with average first? Average of Two Signed Numbers

To average $\,N\,$ numbers, add them up and divide by $\,N\,.$

A convenient way to talk about $\,N\,$ numbers is to use subscript notation. A subscript is a character (usually, a number or letter) that is written slightly below another character.

For example, when you look at $\,x_3\,$ (read as ‘$\,x$ sub $3\,$’), the number $\,3\,$ is a subscript. When you look at $\,y_b\,$ (read as ‘$\,y$ sub $b\,$’), the letter $\,b\,$ is a subscript.

In subscript notation, we can let $\,x_1\,$ denote the first number, $\,x_2\,$ denote the second number, and so on.

AVERAGE OF $\,N\,$ NUMBERS
Let $\,x_1, x_2, x_3, \ldots, x_N\,$ denote $\,N\,$ numbers. Then, the average of these $\,N\,$ numbers is:
$$ \frac{x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + \cdots + x_N}{N} $$

When more than two numbers are averaged, the concept of balancing point becomes the central idea.

To illustrate the idea, consider finding the average of three numbers: $\,-1\,,$ $\,4\,,$ and $\,6\,.$ Put equal-weight pebbles at locations $\,-1\,,$ $\,4\,$ and $\,6\,$ on a number line. If you think of the number line as a see-saw from a childhood playground, the support must be placed at the average, for perfect balance!

$$ \text{average } = \frac{-1 + 4 + 6}{3} = \frac{9}{3} = 3 $$
illustrating the concept of average on a number line

It is clear from the ‘balancing point’ interpretation of the average that the average of numbers always lies between the greatest number (the one farthest to the right) and the least number (the one farthest to the left).

Example

Question: Find the average of $\,5\,,$ $\,6\,,$ and $\,-2\,.$
Solution:

$\displaystyle\text{average} = \frac{5 + 6 + (-2)}{3} = \frac{9}{3} = 3$

Practice

Concept Practice