In statistical terms, how is the term "mean" calculated?

The term "mean" in statistics refers specifically to the average of a set of numbers. It is calculated by summing all the values in a data set and then dividing that total by the number of values present in that set. This process provides a measure of central tendency that reflects where the center of the data lies.

For example, if you have a set of numbers such as 4, 8, 6, and 10, you would first add these numbers together (4 + 8 + 6 + 10 = 28), and then divide the total (28) by the quantity of the numbers in the set (4). Thus, the mean would be 28 divided by 4, resulting in a mean of 7.

This method of calculation is widely used in various fields, including economics, sociology, and any area that requires data analysis, as it gives a quick overview of the dataset's central value.