Grade 6 Math · Topic 65

Mean (Average)

The mean is the “balance point” of a data set. Add all the values, then divide by how many values there are. The mean is one type of measure of center.

Lesson alignment: 6.SP.A.3 · Take your time. You can return to this lesson whenever you need it.

Explore visually

Find the mean as a fair share

Share the total equally. The dashed line marks the balancing level for every value.

Think first: What total will be shared, and how many equal shares will there be?

Ready? Reveal the model and try your prediction

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Follow the worked examples

Read each step, then cover the explanation and see if you can explain why it works.

Worked example 1

Find the mean of 4, 7, 8, 5, 6.

Sum = 4+7+8+5+6 = 30. Count = 5. Mean = 30/5 = 6.

Answer: 6

Worked example 2

Test scores: 80, 85, 90, 95, 100. Mean?

Sum = 450. Count = 5. Mean = 450/5 = 90.

Answer: 90

Try a few on your own

Work these on paper first. Open “Check” when you are ready to compare your answer.

  1. 2, 4, 6, 8
    Check

    5

  2. 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
    Check

    5

  3. 3, 7, 8, 12, 10
    Check

    8

  4. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35
    Check

    25

  5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Check

    3.5

  6. 9, 11, 13, 15, 17
    Check

    13

  7. 4, 4, 6, 8, 8
    Check

    6

  8. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
    Check

    35

Try this situation 1

Maya scored 82, 90, 85, 88, 95 on five quizzes. What is her mean score?

Show a worked solution

Answer: 88.

Sum = 82+90+85+88+95 = 440. Mean = 440/5 = 88.

Try this situation 2

A team played 6 games and scored 5, 7, 8, 4, 6, 6 points. Find the mean points per game.

Show a worked solution

Answer: 6 points.

Sum = 36. Mean = 36/6 = 6.

Fresh questions · saved on this device

Practice this skill

57 question pool

Try a fresh set each time. Answer one question, check your thinking, and read the explanation. If you miss one, return to the visual model and try another round.

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Check what you learned

Answer these five questions on your own. You can review the explanations after you submit and try again whenever you like. This short check is for practice, not a grade.

1. The test scores for five students are 82, 76, 90, 88, and 94. What is the mean score?

2. The weights of five cats (in pounds) are: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. What is the mean weight?

3. A class of 5 students earned these test scores: 80, 85, 90, 75, 95. What is the mean score?

4. The lap times (in minutes) for a swimmer were 1.2, 1.4, 1.3, 1.1, and 1.5. What was the mean lap time?

5. The number of minutes students spent on homework are: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55. What is the mean number of minutes?

Practice and finish

Try the linked topic quiz for more practice. If something is tricky, return to the example and look for the step that changes the numbers or representation.

Open the practice quiz

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More Grade 6 resources

Use these free materials if you want another explanation, extra paper practice, or a broader review.

Browse free Grade 6 topic lessons ↗Print Grade 6 worksheets ↗Review Grade 6 flashcards ↗Open the formula review ↗Try the Statistics & Data quiz ↗Try a full practice test ↗