How do I find the average of two averages?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the mean of a combined dataset derived from two separate averages. The first average is 10.2 for "n" measurements, resulting in a sum of 10.2n. The second average is 10.8 for "2n" measurements, yielding a sum of 21.6n. The total sum of all measurements is 31.8n, leading to a final mean of 10.6 when divided by the total number of measurements (3n).

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Math_312 46
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In a statistical study, several measurements were taken and the average value of the measurements was 10.2. In a new survey, twice as many measurements were taken and the mean of these measurements was 10.8. What is the mean of all the measurements?
 
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If the mean of "n" numbers is is 10.2 what is their sum?
If the mean of "2n" numbers is 10.8, what is their sum?

So what is the sum of all 3n items? What is theit mean?
 
Are you suggesting that I do this:
10.2 n / n = 10.2

or have I misunderstood you?
 
$\dfrac{10.2 \cdot n + 10.8 \cdot 2n}{n + 2n}$
 
skeeter said:
$\dfrac{10.2 \cdot n + 10.8 \cdot 2n}{n + 2n}$

So if I do this calculation, the answer is 21?
 
Math_312 46 said:
So if I do this calculation, the answer is 21?
no
 
skeeter said:
no

Is it then 7 or 15,9?
 
Math_312 46 said:
Is it then 7 or 15,9?

nosimplify the numerator
what does $(10.2)(n) + (10.8)(2n)$ equal?

simplify the denominator
what does $n+2n$ equal?

determine those two sums, then divide.
 
skeeter said:
nosimplify the numerator
what does $(10.2)(n) + (10.8)(2n)$ equal?

simplify the denominator
what does $n+2n$ equal?

determine those two sums, then divide.

Ah, I see now. So the answer is then 10,6?
 
  • #10
Math_312 46 said:
Are you suggesting that I do this:
10.2 n / n = 10.2

or have I misunderstood you?
I was suggesting that you ANSWER THE QUESTIONS I ASKED!
 
  • #11
I said, in my first response was
Country Boy said:
If the mean of "n" numbers is is 10.2 what is their sum?
10.1n

If the mean of "2n" numbers is 10.8, what is their sum?
(10.8)(2n)= 21.6n

So what is the sum of all 3n items?[\quote]
10.1n+ 21.6n= 31.7n

What is their mean?
31.7n/(3n)= 31.7/3= 10.5666...
 
  • #12
You have the wrong answer because n times 10.2 is 10.2n NOT 10.1n as you used.
2n times 10.8 is 21.6n as you have.

Altogether those add to 10.2n+ 21.6n= 31.8n.

The average of those 3n values is 31.8/3= 10.6.
 

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