Math · Stage 6

Calculate the mean (average) and the range of a data set

Two data power-moves: the MEAN is the fair share — add every value and divide by how many there are; the RANGE is the spread — the biggest value minus the smallest. Average tells you the middle; range tells you how far apart.

✦ Math📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can calculate the mean (average) and the range of a data set.

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Kavi Shares It Out Fairly ⚖️

Kavi scored 3, 5 and 4 goals in three games. "If I spread my goals out evenly, how many is that per game? That is the mean — I add them all and divide by how many," hooted Kavi. "And how spread-out were my scores? Biggest minus smallest — that is the range. Add-and-divide for the average, biggest-minus-smallest for the spread!"

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What your child will learn

1The mean is the fair shareThe mean (also called the average) tells you what each value would be if you shared the total out evenly. There are just two steps: add up every value, then divide by how many values there are. Tap each line to hear it.

2The range is the spreadThe range tells you how spread out the values are — the gap from the lowest to the highest. Find the biggest value and the smallest value, then subtract. The range is a single number, not a pair.

3Use both moves on real dataRead the number on top of each bar first, then apply each move. Here are the goals scored across four games.

4Average or spread?Match the question to the move, then read the data carefully.

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A peek inside

Find the mean of this data set: 7, 2, 9, 2.

add: 7 + 2 + 9 + 2 = 20; count: 4 values; divide: 20 ÷ 4

Try this at home: Find the mean of 4, 8, 6. __

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Math · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.