American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is the definition of "mean" in statistical terms?

1. The middle value in a data set

2. The average of all values in a dataset

3. The most frequently occurring value in a dataset

4. The value that separates the highest from the lowest half in a dataset

The correct answer is: The average of all values in a dataset

The definition of "mean" in statistical terms refers to the average of all values in a dataset. It is calculated by summing all the individual scores or values and then dividing that total by the number of values. This measure provides a central tendency of the data, reflecting the typical value within the dataset. It's a fundamental concept in statistics, often used to describe the overall trend or typical value among a collection of data points. In contrast, the other options represent different statistical measures: the middle value in a dataset describes the median, while the most frequently occurring value refers to the mode. The value that separates the highest from the lowest half in a dataset also pertains to the median, as it acts as a dividing line within the data's distribution. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for interpreting and analyzing data effectively in the context of planning and other fields that rely on statistical analysis.