Assumed Mean Method: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Statistics 2021 ( Statistics )

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Rachit Kumar Saxena

Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial

Updated on Aug 5, 2021 10:05 IST

How To Calculate The Assumed Mean?

The assumed mean (a) is the arithmetic mean of grouped data. This method is suggested for large data samples. It is used to calculate the standard deviation of a data set. It is suitable for calculating the mean or average for tables involving largely spaced limits. It can be calculated by the following formula given below.
How to calculate:
Let x1,x2,x3,...,xN be the midpoints of ‘n’ class intervals and f1,f2,f3,...,fN be the respective frequencies of these class intervals. The assumed mean can be any Xi that is the midpoint of any class. Any Xi can be assumed as an assumed mean.

Assumed Mean method

Where,
a - assumed mean
Fi- Frequency of ith class
Di=xi-a= deviation of ith class
Fi= n summation of observations
Xi=class mark= (upper class limit+lower class limit)/2

Weightage of Assumed Mean

This topic is taught 9th and 10th standards and has about 15% weightage on an overall basis. In higher classes, too, this concept of statistics has immense use.

Illustrated Examples on Assumed Mean

1. The following table gives information about the marks obtained by 110 students in an examination:

Class

0-10

10-20

20-30

30-40

40-50

Frequency

3

20

26

36

25

Find the mean marks of the students using the assumed mean method.

Solution.

Class (CI)

Frequency (fi)

Classmark (xi)

fiXi

0-10

3

5

15

10-20

20

15

300

20-30

26

25 

650

30-40

36

35

1260

40-50

25

45

1125

Total

Σfi =110

 

Σfixi = 3350

Mean of the data=FiXi/Fi
= 3350/110
= 34.5

2. The table below gives information about the percentage distribution of female employees in a company of various branches and several departments.

Percentage of female employees

Number of departments

5-15

3

15-25

7

25-35

5

35-45

2

45-55

8

3. Find the mean percentage of female employees.

Solution.

Percentage of female employees (CI)

Number of departments (fi)

Classmark (xi)

FiXi

5-15

3

10

30

15-25

7

20

140

25-35

5

30

60

35-45

2

40 

80

45-55

8

50

400

Total

Σfi =25

 

FiXi=

710

Mean =  (Σfixi /Σfi)
=710/25
= 28.4

4. A group of students surveyed as a part of their environmental awareness.

Number of plants 

0 - 2

2 - 4

4 - 6

6 - 8 

8 - 10

10 - 12

12 - 14

Number of houses

1

2

1

5

6

2

3

The program in which they collected the following data regarding the number of plants in 20 homes in a locality. Find the mean number of plants per household using the assumed mean method.

Solution.

No. of Plants

No.of houses (Fi)

Xi

Di= Xi - a

FiDi

0-2

1

1

1-7=-6

-6

2-4

2

3

3-7=-4

-8

4-6

1

5

5-7=-2

-2

6-8

5

7=a

7-7=0

0

8-10

6

9

9-7=2

12

10-12

2

11

11-7=9

18

12-14

3

13

13-7=6

18

 

Σfi =20

   

Σfidi = 32

Mean = a+ (Σfidi /Σfi)
           = 7+(32/20)
           =7+(8/5)
            =8.6

FAQs on Assumed Mean Method

Q: What is the definition of an assumed mean method?

A: In statistics, the assumed mean is a method for calculating the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of a data set.  

Q: How is the assumed mean method better than the ordinary mean method?

A: This method is recommended for large data values. It provides the arithmetic mean of grouped data.

Q: Should I always use the middle Xi as the assumed men in the assumed mean method?

A: There is no mandatory rule to use only the mid values of Xi as assumed mean. You can even have the lowest or highest Xi as your assumed mean.

Q: How do I calculate the classmark for the assumed mean method and Step deviation method?

A: The classmark is equal to the average of the sum of the lower and upper limits of a class.

Q: What are the methods to calculate the mean of a given frequency?

A: There are many methods to calculate the mean, but the most prominent ones are a direct method, assumed mean method, and step deviation method.
The direct method can be used for classes with small frequencies and class marks. Assumed mean and step deviation can be used for large data structures.
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