Question

98.6, 99.0, 98.9, 98.3, 98.7
what is the mean of the list of numbers?
show calculator
how do i enter a student - produced response on the sat? show me!

Explanation:

Step1: Recall mean formula

The mean $\bar{x}$ of a set of numbers $x_1,x_2,\cdots,x_n$ is $\bar{x}=\frac{\sum_{i = 1}^{n}x_i}{n}$. Here $n = 5$, and $x_1=98.6$, $x_2 = 99.0$, $x_3=98.9$, $x_4=98.3$, $x_5=98.7$.

Step2: Calculate the sum

$\sum_{i=1}^{5}x_i=98.6 + 99.0+98.9+98.3+98.7=493.5$.

Step3: Calculate the mean

$\bar{x}=\frac{493.5}{5}=98.7$.

Answer:

$98.7$