Maths Skills for Science - Mean
Science: KS3, topic 4.1.10
Maths Skills for Science - Mean
When analysing your data, you will need various maths skills. Maths calculations will help you draw conclusions from your data. You can calculate the mean.
Mean results
- One of the most common mathematical skills needed in science is how to calculate a mean.
- To calculate a mean:
- Add all the results up.
- After adding all the results up, divide by the total number of results.
Mean example
- An example of calculating the mean is:
- The results are 10 g / 12g and 11g.
- The mean of these results would be calculated by adding 10g, 12g, and 11g.
- The total of adding the results is divided by three (the number of results).
- The mean of these results is 11g.
Outliers
- Clear outliers must be ignored when calculating the mean.
- You can also repeat the result to change the outlier.
Outlier example
- An example of ignoring outliers is:
- The results are 10g, 12g, and 25 g.
- 25g is an outlier.
- The mean of these results can be calculated by adding 10g and 12g.
- The total of adding these results is divided by two (the number of results).
- The mean of these results is 11g.
Test yourself on Maths Skills for Science - Mean
What is the first step when calculating the mean?
What should you do with outliers when calculating a mean?