What is Mean in Math?
Let’s make the numbers make sense.
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
Nov 2025
Key takeaways
- • Mean is a measure of center used to describe mathematical data
- • The mean in math is the average of at least two values in a set of numbers
- • Being able to calculate the mean is important in many real-world scenarios
By the time students reach 6th grade, they have already learned to collect, organize, and record data. They’ve likely conducted classroom surveys and displayed their findings on simple graphs and tables. In 6th grade, students will learn to summarize this data using measures of center, including mean, median, and mode. These measures use a single value to describe what is “typical” in the set of data.
If your child is starting to learn about the measures of center, you’ve come to the right place. This article focuses on the mean, serving as a helpful guide to define and find it. We’ll look at clear, step-by-step examples using different data sets and share practice problems (with answers) that your learner might see both in and out of the classroom. Let’s get started!
What is the Mean?
The definition of mean in math is the average of at least two values in a set of numbers. The mean is also referred to in conversation as the average and is known as the “arithmetic mean.”
Students can easily apply their understanding of mean in everyday life. By calculating the mean, kids can determine the average number of goals scored by their favorite sports team, the number of pushups they can do in a minute, or the number of hours they spend playing video games each week.
Table of contents
How to Calculate Mean
Mean Math Examples
Here are a few mean examples similar to what your student might see in the classroom:
Example 1: The coach of a football team wants to know the average number of points scored per game.
Find the mean of the data:
7, 13, 22, 7, 0, 21, 49
First, add up the total number of points.
7 + 13 + 22 + 7 + 0 + 21 + 49 = 119
Now, divide the sum (119) by the total number of values in the data set.
119 ÷ 7 = 17
The mean is 17 points per game.
Example 2: Mrs. Gart’s class tracked the number of books they read in the summer.
Find the mean of the data:
5, 2, 3, 7, 1, 6, 5, 2
First, add up the total number of books.
5 + 2 + 3+ 7 + 1 + 6 + 5 +2 = 31
Now, divide the sum (31) by the total number of values in the set.
31 ÷ 8 = 3.88
The mean is about 4 books per student.
Mean Practice Problems
These problems are a great way for your student to gain extra practice calculating the mean. If your child needs additional support or an extra challenge, head over to Dreambox Math. This award-winning online program offers students an interactive way to practice essential math skills and concepts.
| Day | Cookies Sold |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10 |
| Tuesday | 15 |
| Wednesday | 12 |
| Thursday | 18 |
| Friday | 14 |
| Saturday | 20 |
| Sunday | 22 |
About the Author
Katie Wickliff
Katie holds a master’s degree in Education, has over 15 years of education experience as a primary classroom teacher, and is Orton-Gillingham certified tutor. Most importantly, Katie is the mother of two primary school students, ages 8 and 11. She is passionate about maths education and firmly believes that the right tools and support will help every student reach their full potential.