Measures of Central Tendency

MEASURES OF
1 CENTRAL TENDENCY
INTRODUCTION:
A single expression representing the whole group is selected which may convey a
fairly adequate idea about the whole group. This single expression in statistics is known
as the average. Averages are generally the central part of the distribution and therefore,
they are also called the Measure of Central Tendency or Averages.
FEATURES OF A GOOD AVERAGE:
(i) It should be rigidly defined so that different persons may not interpret it
differently.
(ii) It should be easy to understand and easy to calculate.
(iii) It should be based on all the observations of the data.
(iv) It should be easily subjected to further mathematical calculations.
(v) It should be least affected by the fluctuations of the sampling.
(vi) It should not be unduly affected by the extreme values.
(vii) It should be easy to interpret.
(viii) It should have sampling stability. It means that if the average is computed for
similar groups, the result should also be similar.
TYPES OF AVERAGES:
The following are the various types of common averages used in statistical
analysis given in the form of a chart.
ARITHMETIC MEAN:
SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE
294, 3rd Floor,Satya niketan(opp.Venky)above QD’s Ph:65643333,9899620899
Deepak Sharma M.Sc.(Maths)
SYNERGY 2.2 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510
The Arithmetic Mean ( X ) of a given series of values x1, x2, x3, ………………… xn is
defined as the sum of these values divided by their total number, thus
( )
Arithmetic Mean X =
x1 + x 2 + x 3 + - - - - + x n
=
∑x
n n
INDIVIDUUAL UNGROUPED GROUPED DATA
ITEMS DATA
DIRECT METHOD Σx i Σfx  ∑ fx  Σfm
or
n ∑ f  N  N
here m is mid values
of class intervals
ASSUMED MEAN METHOD Σd Σfd Σfd
A+ A+ A+
(d = X I − A) n N N
STEP DEVIATION METHOD

METHOD Σfd Σfd
A+ ×i A+ ×i
 XI − A N N
d = 
 i  here i is class size here i is class size
CORRECTED MEAN:
incorrect∑ x − incorrect item + correct item

Corrected mean =
n
QUESTION 1: The mean of 200 items was 50. Later on it was discovered that two items
were misread as 92 and 8 instead of 192 and 88. Find out the correct
mean.
COMBINED MEAN:
Combined Mean X 12 = ( ) N 1 X1 + N 2 X 2
N1N 2
(In case of two series)
X12 = Combined mean of the two groups.

X1 = Arithmetic mean of first group. X2 = mean of second group.
N1 = No. of items in the first group. N2 =. of items in the second group.
Combined Mean X 123 = ( ) N1 X + N 2 X2 + N 3 X3

N1 + N 2 + N 3
(In case of three series)

QUESTION 2: The mean wage of 100 workers in a factory running in two shifts of
60 and 40 workers respectively is Rs.38. The mean wage of 60 workers
working in the morning shift is Rs. 40. Find the mean wage of the workers
in the evening shift. (B.Com., 1996)
QUESTION 3: The average age of all employees of a company is 25yrs. The average age
of male and female employees is 26yrs and 21yrs resp. Find out the
percentage of males and female employees of the company.
WEIGHTED ARITHMETIC MEAN:
If w1 , w 2 , w 3 ,- - --, w n are the weights assigned to the values x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ,- - --, x n resp.

then the weighed average is defined as:
w 1 x1 + w 2 x 2 + w 3 x 3 + - - - - +w n x n
Weighted AM =
w 1 + w 2 + w 3 + - - - - +w n
ΣWX
Xw = Where, Xw represents the weighted arithmetic mean
ΣW
QUESTION 4: Calculate weighted mean from the following data.

Value 10 12 15 18 20
Weight : 2 5 12 4 7
GEOMETRIC MEAN (GM):
Geometric mean of n positive numbers is the nth root of their product.

If x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ,- - --, x n are n values of a variate x, none of them being zero, then the
geometric mean is defined as:
1
GM = (x 1 × x 2 × x 3 × - - - - × x n ) n
For any 2 numbers a & b G.M. = ab .
Note: Using log table:

 Σ log x 
GM = A.L.  [For Individual observation]
 N 
 Σf log x 
G.M = A.L.  (For Discrete series / Continuous series)
 N 
Σ (wlogx) 
Weighted G.M. (G.Mw) = A.L  
 Σw 

QUESTION 5: Find the GM for the following distribution:

Class intervel: 0-20 20-40 40-60 60-80 80-100
Frequency(f): 5 15 20 10 6
QUESTION 6: Find the average rate of increase in population which in the first decade
has increased by 20%, in the second decade by 30% and in the third
decade by 40%.
QUESTION 7: The number of literates has increased from 42 billion in 1990 to 69 billion
in 1993, in India. Find the annual growth rate in literacy.
HARMONIC MEAN:
The harmonic mean of a number of values of a variable is the reciprocal of the
arithmetic mean of the reciprocals of the given values of the variable. Symbol H.M. is
used to denote harmonic mean.
N N
HM = = (For Individual Observation)
1 1 1 1 1
+ +
X1 X 2 X 3
+ .......+
Xn
∑X
f 1 + f 2 + f 3 + .... + f N Σf
HM = = [For discrete series / Continuous Series]
f1 f2 f3 fn f
+
X1 X 2 X 3
+ + ...... +
Xn
∑x
QUESTION 8: A train runs first 25 kilometers at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour next
50 kilometers at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, then due to repair of
the track, it covers only one kilometer at a speed of 10 kilometers per
hour and finally covers the remaining distance of 24 kilometers at a speed
of 24 kilometers per hour. What is the average speed in kilometers per
hour ?
QUESTION 9:
9 During a period of decline in stock market prices, a stock sold at Rs.50 per
share on one day, Rs.40 on the next day and Rs.25 on the third day.
(i) If an investor bought 100, 120 and 180 shares on the respective
three days, find the average price paid per share.
(ii) If an investor bought Rs.1000 worth of shares on each of the three
days, find average price paid per share.
QUESTION 10: Four typist take 15, 10, 8, 7 minutes respectively to type a letter.
Determine the average time required to type a letter if-
(i) Four letters are to be typed by each typist.
(ii) Each typist works for two hours.
2ab
For any
any two numbers a and b. H.M. =
a+b
Σw i
Weighted H.M =
 wi 
∑  x 
 i 
RELATION B/W AM, GM AND HM:
1. For any set of positive observations, we have the following inequalities:

A.M > G.M > H.M.
The equality sign occurs when all the observation are equal.
2. Given two positive numbers a and b than GM2 = AM × HM.
Note: this result holds for only tow positive observations or if the observations are in
arithmetical progression.
MEDIAN:
Median is defined as the middle most or the central value of the variable in a set
of observations, when the observations are arranged either in ascending or in
descending order of their magnitude. It divides the arranged series in two equal parts.
Median is a position average, whereas the arithmetic mean is a calculated average.
RAW DATA DISCRETE DATA CONTINUOUS DATA

MEDIAN n +1 N +1 N
th term th term in cumulative − c.f
2 2 l+ 2 ×i
frequency f
Here: n (or N) = no of observation (or sum of frequencies)

l = lower limit of the class in which the median lies,
c.f. = cumulative frequency of the class preceding the median class,
f = frequency of the class in which the median lies,
i = width of the class-interval in which the median lies
QUESTION
QUESTION 11: The numebr of runs scored by 11 players of a Cricket Team of a
school are 5, 19, 42, 11, 50, 30, 21, 0, 52, 36 and 27. Find the median.
QUESTION 12: Calculate Median for the following data
Marks: 20 9 25 50 40 80
No. of students: 6 4 16 7 8 2

QUESTION 13:The following table gives the gross profit of the various companies. Find
the median.
Gross Profit(%): 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50
No. of Companies: 21 32 42 34 23
PARTITION VALUES:
Quartiles, Deciles and Percentiles are called Partition values.
1. Quartiles are those values of variate which divides the series, when arranged
only in ascending order,
order into four equal parts. There are three quartiles, Q1, Q2
and Q3 which divide the distribution into four equal parts.
2. Deciles are those values of variate which divides the series, when arranged
only in ascending order,
order into ten equal parts. There are nine deciles.
3. The values of the variable which divide the series when arranged only in
ascending order into 100 equal parts are called percentiles. There are 99
percentiles in one series.
List of formulae:
INDIVIDUAL SERIES DISCRETE SERIES CONTINUOUS
SERIES
n +1 n +1 KN
QUARTILES K( )th term K ( )th term in − c.f
4 4 l+ 4 ×i
Here k = 1, 2, 3 cumulative frequency
frequency f
Here k = 1, 2, 3 Here k = 1, 2, 3
n +1 n +1 KN
DECILES K( )th term K ( )th term is − c.f
10 10 l + 10 ×i
Here k = 1 to 9 cumulative frequency f
Here k = 1 to 9 Here k = 1 to 9
n +1 n +1 KN
PERCENTILES K ( )th term K ( )th term is − c.f
100 100 l + 100 ×i
Here
Here k = 1 to 99 cumulative frequency f
Here k = 1 to 99 Here k = 1 to 99
QUESTION 14: Following distribution related to the monthly wages of 100 workers (in
Rs).
Wages in Rs. : Less than 500-699 700-899 900-1099 1100-1499 More than
500 1500
No. of workers: 5 23 29 27 10 6
Compute Q3 , D7 , and P23 .

MODE:
Mode is that value of the variable which occurs most frequently or the
point of maximum frequency. For a grouped frequency distribution, the mode is
computed by the following formulae.
f o − f -1
Mode = l + ×i
2f o − f − 1 − f +1
Where I = lower limit of the model class

f+1 = frequency of model class (or highest frequency)
f − 1 = frequency of the class preceding the model class
i = width of the model class
f+1 = frequency of the class following the model class
There is another formula for the mode :
∆1
Mode = 1 + ×i
∆1 + ∆ 2
where ∆1 = f o − f -1 and ∆ 2 = f o − f +1
QUESTION 15
15: From the following data of the weight of 100 persons in a commercial
concern determine the modal weight.
Weight (in kg) 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 68 70
No. of students 4 6 5 10 20 22 24 6 2 1
QUESTION 16: Calculate Mode for the following data

Marks : 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50
No. of students: 8 15 28 16 8
EMPRICAL RELATION B/W MEAN, MEDIAN AND MODE:
Mode = 3Median − 2Mean or (Mode − Mean) = 3(Median − Mean)

IT’S YOUR TURN:
ARITHMETIC MEAN:
Q.1 The following raw data gives the marks in maths test of 20 students of class XII in a
school. Find the arithmetic mean of the marks.
40 73 49 91 49 62 31 83 91 40
49 62 07 73 62 16 12 22 90 62
[Ans: X = 53.2 Marks]
Q.2 A market survey on demands of bread at a shop in a locality provided the following
distribution of daily demand:
Daily demand (Pcs. Of bread) 12 17 20 28 30

Frequency (No. of days) 40 100 60 50 20
[Ans: X = 19.91]
Q.3 Calculate the arithmetic mean for the following frequency distribution and verify
that ∑ f(X − X) = 0 .
Class: 0 – 20 20 – 40 40 – 60 60 – 80 80 – 100
Frequency: 17 28 32 24 19
[DU B. Com (Pass) 1997][Ans.: A.M. = 50]
Q.4 Find the average marks of students from the following table:
Marks No of Students Marks No of Students
Above 0 80 Above 60 23
Above 50 43
[Ans.: 51.125]
Q.5 Calculate the number of shops corresponding to class-interval 30 – 40 of the

following distribution when the mean profit per shop is 30 :
Profits per shop: 0 – 10 10 –20 20 –30 30 –40 40 –50 50 –60
No. of shops : 12 15 25 ? 20 10
[Ans.: 20]

Q.6 The management of a college decides to give scholarship to the students who
have scored marks 70 and above 70 in Business Statistics. The following are the marks
scored by II B.Com. students:
71 73 74 85 86 88 91 94 96 99
74 74 76 93 91 94 96 98 88 94
The scholarship payable is given below:
Marks 70–75 75–80 80–85 85–90 90–95 95–100
Scholarship amounts (Rs.) 100 200 300 400 500 600
Estimate the total scholarship payable and the average scholarship payable.
[Bangalore Univ. B.Com. 1999][Ans.: Rs. 7700, Rs. 385]
Q.7 The mean of the following frequency, table is 50. But the frequencies f1 and f2 in
classes 20-40 and 60-80 are missing. Find the missing frequencies.
Class Frequency
0-20 17
20-40 f1
40-60 32
60-80 f2
80-100 19
Total 120
[Ans. f1 = 28, f2 = 24] (B.Com., 1997]
Q.8 The average rainfall for a week, excluding Sunday, was 10 cms. Due to heavy
rainfall on Sunday, the average for the week rose to 15 cms. How much rainfall was on
Sunday? (Ans:45cms)
Q.9 The mean of 99 items is 55. The value of 100th item is 99 more than the mean of
100 items. What is the value of 100th item? [DU B.Com. (H), 2001][Ans.: 155]
Q.10 The mean weight of 20 employees in a company is 65 kgs. And the mean weight
of 8 employee is 70 kgs. And another 7 is 55 kgs. You are required to find out the mean
weight of reminder. (Ans:Mean weight of remaining 5 employees = 71 kgs.)
Q.11 The daily average sales of a store were Rs. 2,750 for the month of Feb. 1996.
During the month, the highest and the lowest sales were Rs. 8,950 and Rs. 580
respectively. Find the average daily sales if the highest and the lowest sales are not
taken into account. [DU B. Com (Hons), 1997][Ans.: Rs. 2600.74]
Q.12 The mean weight of 150 students in certain class in Delhi University is 60 kg. The
mean weight of boys in the Class is 70 kg and that of girls is 50 kg. Find the number of
boys and the number of girls in the Class. ( Ans: 75, 75)
Q.13 The mean salary paid per week to 1000 employees of an establishment was
found to be Rs. 900. Later on, it was discovered that the salaries of two employees were

wrongly recorded as Rs. 750 and 365 instead of 570 and 635. Find the corrected mean
salary. (Ans: 900.09)
Q.14 The average marks of three batches of students having 70, 50 and 30 students
respectively are 50, 55 and 45. Find the average marks of all the 150 students, taken
together. (Ans: 50.67)
Q.15 The mean of a certain number of observations is 40. If two more items with
values 50 and 64 are added to this data, the mean rises to 42. Find the number of items
in the original data. (Ans: N=15)
Q.16 The sum of deviations of a certain number of observations measured from 4 is 72

and the sum of the deviations of the same values from 7 is -3. Find the number of
observations and their mean. [DU B. Com. (H), 1997][Ans.:
1997][Ans.: 25 & 6.88]
Q.17 The sum of the deviations of a set of values x1, x2, …, xn measured from 50 is –10
and the sum of the deviations of values from 46 is 70. Find the value of n and the mean.
[Ans.: n = 20 & X = 49.50]
Q.18 Two groups of students reported mean weights of 160 kg. and 150 kg.
respectively. Find out, when the mean weight of both the groups together be 155 kg?
(Ans:the 155kg when N1=N2 )
(Ans:the combined mean weight of both the groups together will be 155kg
Q.19 The arithmetic mean of daily wages of two manufacturing concerns A and B is
Rs.30 and Rs.40 respectively. Determine the average daily wages of both concerns of
the number of workers employed were 2,000 and 4,000 respectively.[Ans.:
[Ans.: Rs.36.67]
Q.20 Fifty students took up a test. The result 'of those who passed the test is given
below:
Marks: 4 5 6 7 8 9
No. of Students: 8 10 9 6 4 3
If the average for all the 50 students was 5.16 marks, find the average of those who
failed. (B.Com., 2001) [Ans. Average who failed = 2.1 marks]
Q.21 100 students appeared for an examination. The results of those who failed are
given below:
Marks No. of Students
5 4
10 6
15 8
20 7

25 3
30 2
Total 30
If the average marks of all students were 68.6, find out average marks of those who
passed. [DU B.Com. (H), 2008][Ans.: 91.21]
Q.22 A candidate obtained the following percentage of marks in different subjects in
the Half-Yearly Examination:
SUBJECTS PERCENTAGE
English 46%
Statistics 67%
Cost Accountancy 72%
Economics 58%
Income Tax 53%
It is agreed, to give double weights to marks in English and Statistics as compared to
other subjects. What is the simple and weighted arithmetic mean?
[Ans. X = 59.2%, X =58.43%] (B.Com. 2002)
Q.23 Average marks in Statistics of 10 students of a class was 68. A new student took
admission with 72 marks whereas two existing students left the college. If the marks of
these students were 40 and 39, find the average marks of the remaining students.
(B.Com., 2000) [Ans. Average Marks = 74.78]
Q.24 B.Com. (P) II Year has three sections A, B and C with 50, 40, 60 students
respectively. The mean marks for the three sections were determined as 85, 60 and 65
respectively. However, marks of a student of section A were wrongly recorded as 50
instead of zero. Determine the mean marks of all the three sections put together.
(B.Com., 1995) [Ans. X = 70]
Q.25 The mean marks obtained by 300 students in the subject of Statistics are 45. The
mean of the top 100 of them was found to be 70 and the mean of the last 100 was
known to be 20. What is the mean of the remaining 100 students? [Ans.: 45]
Q.26 The mean of 68 numbers is 18. If each number is divided by 6, find the new mean.
Find the relation between the new mean and the old mean.
1
[Ans.: New Mean = 3, New mean = of old mean ]
6
Q.27 The sum of deviations of a certain number of observations measured from 4 is 72

and the sum of the deviations of the same values from 7 is -3. Find the number of
observations and their mean. [DU B. Com. (H), 1997][Ans.: 25 & 6.88]

Q.28 In the following grouped data, X are the mid values of the class intervals and C
is a constant. If the arithmetic mean of the original distribution is 35.84, find its class
intervals.
X–C f
-21 2
-14 12
-7 19
0 29
7 20
14 13
21 5
Total = 100
[DU B.Com. (H), 2007 (Corr.)][Ans.: 10.5-
10.5-17.5, 17.5-
17.5-24.5,
24.5-
24.5-31.5, 31.5-
31.5-38.5, 38.5-
38.5-45.5, 45.5
45.5-52.5, 52.5-
52.5-59.5]
Q.29 If an additional observation 150 is included in a series 10 observations and its

mean remains unaffected, then the mean of the series was ………….
[DU B.Com. (H), 2007 (Regular)][Ans.: 150]
MEDIAN:
Q.30 The number of runs scored by 12 players of the cricket team of a school are:
5, 19, 42, 11, 50, 30, 21, 0, 52, 36, 27, 60
Find the median scores. [Ans.: 28.5]
Q.31 The median of the observations 8, 11, 13, 15, x+1, x+3, 30, 35, 40, 43, arranged in
ascending order is 22. Find x. [Ans.: 20]
20]
Q.32 Calculate median for the following data:

No. of students: 6 4 16 7 8 2
Marks: 20 9 25 50 40 80
[Ans.: 25]
Q.33 Draw ogive curves and show the median on graph of the following data. Also
check your result by actual calculations.
Daily Wages (Rs.): 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60

No. of Workers : 3 9 15 30 18 5
[Ans. Median = 34.3] (B.Com., 1993)
Q.34 Find median of the following data

Age greater than (in yrs.): 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
No. of Persons: 230 218 200 165 123 73 28 8

[Ans:41.6]
Q.35 An incomplete distribution is given below:

Variable 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70
Frequency 10 20 ? 40 ? 25 15
You are given that the median value is 35. Find out missing frequency, if total frequency
= 170.
[Ans.: f1 = 35, & f2 = 25, ]
PARTITION VALUES:
Q.36 The following data relate to the sizes of shoes sold at a store during a given week.
Find upper and lower quartiles from the given data.
Size of shoes Frequency Size of shoes Frequency
4.0 10 6.5 15
4.5 18 7.0 10
5.0 22 7.5 8
5.5 25 8.0 7
6.0 40
[Ans.: Q1 = 5, & Q3 = 6.5]
Q.37 The following is the distribution of weekly wages of workers

Wages (Rs.) : 50-100 100-150 150-200 200-250 250-300
No. of Workers: 25 42 63 50 20
Determine Md, Q1, Q3, P40 and P70
[Ans: Md = 176.19 Q1 = 129.76 Q3 = 220 P40= 160.32 P70= 210 ]
Q.38 Following is the distribution of marks obtained by 100 students appearing for an
admission test:
Marks more than: 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
No. of students: 100 92 77 57 40 25 15 5
If 70% of the students passed the test, find the passing marks of the test. (Hint: Find the
30th percentile.)
[Ans.: 24]
Q.39 Given the following data, compute the median marks. Find the proportion of
students obtaining '60 or more' marks:
Marks 0 – 25 25 – 50 50 – 75 75 – 100
No. of students 30 50 80 40
[DU B.A. Eco (H), 1992][Ans.: 56.25, 44%]
Q.40 With the help of given data, find:

(i) Value of middle 50% items,
(ii) Value of exactly 50% item,

(iii) The value of P40 and D6
Class Interval 10 – 14 15 – 19 20 – 24 25 – 29 30 – 34 35 – 39 Total
Frequencies 5 10 15 20 10 5 65
[DU B.Com. (H), 2008]
[Ans.: (i) 19.92 to 29.1875, (ii) 25.125, (iii) 23.17 and 26.75]
MODE:
Q.41 Calculate Median and Mode for the following distribution :

Production/day (in Tons) 21 – 22 23 – 24 25 – 26 27 – 28 29 – 30
No. of Days 7 13 22 10 8
[Ans.: Median = 25.41 tons, Mode = 25.36 tons]
Q.42 Calculate mode for the following frequency distribution:

Variable (x) 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency (f) 4 6 20 32 33 17 6 2
[Ans.: 16]
Q.43 Find the mode from the following table:

Class 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70
Frequency 8 14 25 18 25 10 5
[Ans.: 35]
Q.44 Find the mode in the case of the following series :
Size(below) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Frequency 1 3 13 17 27 36 38
Hint : The given data can be arranged in the form of continuous frequency distribution
as given by the following table.
Size 1 2 3 4 5 6
0–5 1
3
5 – 10 2 13
10 – 15 10 12 16
14
15 – 20 4 24
20 – 25 10 14 23
19
25 – 30 9 21
30 – 35 2 11

For computing the modal class we prepare another table as given below :
Column Maximum Class intervals corresponding to
No. of frequency maximum frequency
above
table
(1) 10 10 – -- 20 – -- --
15 25
(2) 19 -- -- 20 – 25 – --
25 30
(3) 14 -- 15 – 20 – -- --
20 25
(4) 23 -- 15 – 20 – 25 – --
20 25 30
(5) 21 -- -- 20 – 25 – 30 –
25 30 35
(6) 24 10 – 15 – 20 – -- --
15 20 25
No. of
times the 2 3 6 3 1
class
occurs
Since the class 20 – 25 occurs maximum number of times, therefore, it is the modal
class.
(f1 − f 0 )
∴ Mode = 1 + ×i
2f 1 − f 0 − f 2
 5(10 − 4)   5×6 
= 20 +   = 20 +   = 20 + 4.28
 20 − 4 − 9   7 
= 24.28
Q.45 Find the value of missing frequencies for the following incomplete distribution by
using appropriate formula when mode Value given is 36:
Variable Frequency
0-10 5
10-20 7
20-30 --
30-40 --
40-50 10
50-60 6
TOTAL 50
[Ans. 8, 14] (B.Com., 2004)
Q.46 The mode of a distribution cannot be less than its arithmetic mean. Comment.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2005

2005 ]
Q.47 In 500 small scale industrial units, the return on investment ranged from 0 to
30%, no unit sustaining any loss. 5% of industrial units had returns exceeding 0% but
not exceeding 5%. 15% of units had returns exceeding 5% but not exceeding 10%.
Median and upper quartile rate of return was 15% and 20% respectively. The
uppermost layer of returns exceeding 25% but not exceeding 30% was earned by 25%.
Present this information in the form of frequency table with intervals as follows:
Exceeding 0% but not exceeding 5%
N 2N 3N
Use , , as ranks of lower, middle and upper quartiles respectively. Find the rate
4 4 4
of return around which there is maximum concentration of units.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2007 (Corr.)][DU B.Com. (H), 2008][Ans.: Frequencies of respective
classes = 25, 75, 150, 125, 0 and 125 respectively; Mode = 13.75%]
13.75%]
EMPRICAL RELATION B/W MEAN, MEDIAN AND MODE:
Q.48 Given Mean = 70.2 and Mode = 70.5. Find Median using empirical relationship
among them. (B.Com., 2003) [Ans. Median = 70.3]
Q.49 In a moderately asymmetrical distribution, the mode and Mean are 32.1 and 35.4
respectively. Find out the value of Median. [DU B.Com. (P), 2005][Ans.: 34.3]
Q.50 Find the missing figure: Median = Mode + ?(Mean – Mode).
[DU B.Com. (P), 2005][Ans.: 2/3]
GEOMETRIC MEAN:
Q.51 Find geometric mean of 5, 7, 0, 10, 8.. [B.Com-

[B.Com-2009] [Ans:zero]
Q.52 Price of a commodity went up by 6%, 10% and 15% respectively, in the last three
years. What is the annual average change of price? [Ans: 10.6%]
Q.53 The annual rates of growth achieved by a nation for 5 years are 5%,
7.5%,2.5%,5% and 10% respectively. What is the compound rate of growth for the 5-
year period. ? [Ans: 5.9%]
Q.54 A machinery depreciates by 40% in the first year, 25% in the second year and
10% p.a. for the next three years. Each percentage being calculated on diminishing
value, what is the average percentage of depreciation for the entire period?
[Ans: 20%]
Q.55 The number of divorces per 1,000 marriages in a big city in India increased from
96 in 1980 to 120 in 1990. Find the annual rate of increase of the divorce rate for the
period 1980 to 1990.
[DU B.Com. (H), 1994][Ans.: 2.3%]
Q.56 If the arithmetic mean of two items of a series is 12.5 and the G.M. is 10, what
is the difference of the two items?
[DU B.Com. (P), 2004][Ans.: 15]
Q.57 Find the missing information in the following table:
Groups
Combined
A B C
Number 10 8 --- 24
Mean 20 --- 6 15
Geometric Mean 10 7 --- 8.397
[DU B.Com.(H), 1998][Ans.: 6, 15.5, 8.004]
Q.58 If the arithmetic mean of two items of a series is 12.5 and the G.M. is 10, what
is the difference of the two items?
[DU B.Com. (P), 2004][Ans.: 15]
Q.59 The geometric mean of four values was calculated as 16. It was later discovered
that one of the values was recorded wrongly as 32 while, in fact, it was 162. Calculate
the correct geometric mean.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2005 (Regular)][Ans.:
(Regular)][Ans.: 24]
Q.60 If the arithmetic mean and the geometric mean of two observations are 10 and
8 respectively, find the values.
[Ans.: 16 and 4]
Q.61 The number of bacteria in a certain culture was found to be 4 x 106 at noon of
one day. At noon the next day the number was 9 x 106. If the number increased at a
constant rate per hour, how many bacteria were there at the intervening mid – night?
[DU B.A. Eco (H), 1996][Ans.: 6 x 106]
Q.62 A certain store’s profits were Rs. 50,000; Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 8,00,000 in 2002,
2003 and 2004 respectively. Determine the average rate of growth of the store’s
profits?
[Ans.: 300%]
Q.63 In 1950 and 1960, the population of U.S. was 151.3 million and 179.3 million
respectively.
(i) What was the average percentage increase per year?
(ii) Estimate the population in 1954.
(iii) If the average percentage increase of population per year from 1960 to
1970 is the same as in part (i), what would be population of U.S. in 1970?
[DU BA Eco (H), 1994]
[Ans.: (i) 1.7% p.a., (ii) 161.86 million, (iii) 212.3 million]

Q.64 The number of bacteria in a certain culture increased from 50,000 to 2,00,000
in 3 days. Find the average rate of bacterial growth per day.
[Ans.: 58.7%]
Q.65 The population of a city was 1,00,000 in 1975 and 1,44,000 a decade later.
Estimate the population at the middle of the decade.
[DU B.A. (Eco Hons), 1995][Ans.: 1,20,000]
HARMONIC MEAN:
Q.66 If X travels 8 km at 4 km per hour, 6 km at 3 km per hour and 4 km at 2 km per

hour, what would be the average rate per hour at which he travelled?
(B.Com., 1998) [Ans. Average speed = 3km per hour]

Q.67 An investor buys Rs. 1,500 worth of shares in a company each month. During the
first four months, he bought the shares at Rs. 10, Rs. 15, Rs. 20 and Rs. 30 per share.
What is the average price paid for the shares bought during these four months? Verify
your result. [DU B.Com. (P), 1996][Ans.: Rs. 16 per share]
Q.68 Cities A, B and C are equidistant from each other. A motorist travels from A to B
at 30 km per hour, from B to C at 40 kms per hour and from C to A at 50 kms per hour.
Determine his average speed for the entire trip.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2006 (Corr.)][Ans.: 38.3 km/h]
Q.69 A motorist took 12 hours to travel from place A to B which are situated 300 km
apart. On the return journey he took, 15 hours to cover this distance. What is the
average speed of the motorist? [DU B.Com. (P), 2005][Ans.: 22.22 km/hr.]
Q.70 A man travelled by car for 3 days. He covered 480 kms each day. On the first day
he drove for 10 hours at 48 kms an hour. On the second day he drove for 12 hours at 40
kms an hour and on last day he drove for' 15 hours at 32 kms. What was his average
speed? (B.Com., 1991) [Ans. Average speed = 37.92 km.p.h.]
Q.71 An aero-plane flies around a square the sides of which measures 100 km each.
The aero-plane covers at a speed of 100 km per hour the first side; at 200 km per hour
the second side, at 300 km per hour the third side and at 400 km per hour the fourth
side. Use the appropriate mean to find the average speed around the square.
[Ans: 192km/hr]
Q.72 A person purchases one kilogram of cabbage from each of the four places at the
rate of 20 kg, 16 kg, 12 kg and 10 kg per 100 rupees respectively. On the average, how
many kg of cabbage has he purchased per 100 rupees?
[B.Com. (P), 2001][Ans.: 13.52 kg]

Q.73 Shri Narendra Kumar has invested his capital in three securities, namely ,
RELIANCE LTD., TISCO and SATYAM Rs. 40,000, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 80,000 respectively.
If he collects dividends of Rs. 10,000 from each company, compute his average return
from three securities. (B.Com.(P), 2000)[Ans.
2000)[Ans. H.M. = 17.65%]
Q.74 A person buys diesel at Rs. 0.80, Rs. 1.20, Rs. 1.80 and Rs. 2.80 per litre for four
successive years. What was the average cost of diesel if he
i) spends Rs. 1,000 each year, and
ii) buys 1,000 litres of diesel every year?
[Ans.: (i) Rs. 1.335 per litre, (ii) Rs. 1.65 per litre]
Q.75 A scooterist purchased petrol at the rate of Rs. 24, Rs. 29.50 and Rs. 36.85 per
litre during three successive years. Calculate the average price of petrol:
i) If he purchased 150, 180 and 195 litres of petrol in the respective years,
ii) If he spent Rs. 3,850, Rs. 4,675 and Rs. 5,825 in three years.
Give support to your answer.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2005]
2005]
[Ans.: (i) Rs. 30.66/ litre, (ii) Rs. 30.09/ litre]
Q.76 In a certain office, a letter is typed by A in 4 minutes. The same letter is typed
by B, C and D in 5, 6, 10 minutes respectively. What is the average time taken in
completing one letter? How many letters do you expect to be typed in one day
comprising of 8 working hours?
[DU B.A. Eco (H), 1995; 1996][Ans.:
1996][Ans.: 240/43 = 5.5814 minutes per letter; 86]
Q.77 The A.M. and G.M. of two numbers are 15 and 12 respectively. Find the HM of two
numbers. [Ans: 9.6]
Q.78 The geometric mean and arithmetic mean of two observations are 60 and
127.5 respectively. Find their harmonic mean. Also obtain the observations.
[DU B.Com. (H), 2007 (Corr.)][Ans.: 28.235; 15 & 240]
Q.79 'Median and Mode are not affected by extreme values.' Give examples in
support of your answer. Also examine the relationship among Arithmetic Mean,
Geometric Mean and Harmonic Mean. [DU B.Com. (H), 2006 (Corr.)]
QUESTIONS:
IMPORTANT THEORY QUESTIONS
CHOICE OF AN AVERAGE
There are various types of averages like Arithmetic Mean, Median, Mode, Geometric
Mean and Harmonic Mean. Each average has its own merits and demerits and
consequently its own field of importance and utility. Hence, the following points may be
kept in mind while deciding the use of a particular average for a specific purpose:
i) Arithmetic Mean is generally used in business applications like average profit,
average wages, average sales, average production etc. The arithmetic mean is not
considered suitable frequency distributions having extreme observations or open

end classes.
ii) Median and mode are the averages to be used while dealing with extreme
observations
observations or open end classes.
In case of qualitative data which cannot be measured quantitatively e.g.
intelligence, honesty, hand-writing, bravery, beauty etc., median is the only
average to be used. Median is generally used to find the average wages of a
worker as it avoids the influence of a few very low or very high wage rates.
Mode is particularly used in business, when the businessman is not interested in
magnitude but only in the most common or fashionable value.
iii) Geometric Mean is used when the data are given as rates, ratios or percentages
instead of the actual quantities. It is commonly used in averaging rates of change
expressed as a percentage. For example, it is used to find average population
growth rater, average price rise, average depreciation etc. It is also theoretically
considered to be the best average in the construction of Index Numbers.
iv) Harmonic mean is used in problems in which values of a variable are compared
with a constant quantity of another variable. For example, to average speed
expressed in km/h, consumption of fuel in km/litre or litres/km etc.
Q.80 During one year, the ratio of milk prices per litre to bread prices per loaf was 3
whereas during the next year, the ratio was 2.
(a) Find the arithmetic mean of these ratios for the two year period.
(b) Find the arithmetic mean of the ratio of bread prices to milk prices for the two
year period.
(c) Discuss the advisability of using the arithmetic mean for averaging ratios.
(d) Discuss the suitability of the geometric mean for averaging ratios.
[DU B.A. Eco
Eco (H), 2001]
[Ans.: (i) 2.5, (ii) 0.417, (iii) Not advisable, (iv) Suitable]
Q.81 State giving reasons which average will be more appropriate in the following
cases:
(i) The distribution has open-end classes.
(ii) The distribution has wide range of variations.
(iii) When depreciation is charged by diminishing balance method and an average
rate of depreciation is to be calculated.
(iv) The distance covered is fixed but speeds are varying and an average speed is to
be calculated.
[DU B.Com. (P), 1999]
Ans.:
(i) Median or mode as they seldom lie in the first or the last classes.
(ii) Median as it is not affected by the values of extreme items.
(iii) Geometric mean since this is an average of rate measures.
(iv) Harmonic mean since it is used to average the ratios of the form x/y in which x is
fixed.
Q.82 It is said that "The choice of an average depends on the particular problem in
hand." Examine the statement and give at least one instance each for the use of mode,
geometric mean and harmonic mean. [DU B.Com. (H), 2007 (Regular)]
Or
Give two examples where Geometric and Harmonic mean would be the most suitable
averages.
Or
Explain the specific uses of harmonic mean. [DU B.Com. (P), 2000]
Ans.: The statement, "The choice of an average depends on the particular problem in
hand", is true.
Specific uses:
Mode:
1) Trade union leaders use mode as average as modal wage represents the wage
received by maximum number of workers.
2) The manufacturers of readymade garments are interested in mode which
represents the most common size in demand.
Geometric
Geometric Mean
1) The geometric mean is used to calculate growth of population, growth of an
economy etc.
2) The geometric mean is also used to calculate the average rate of interest against
changing rates of interest.
Harmonic Mean
1) The harmonic mean is used when we want to find the average price of an article if
different number of units of the article are purchased at different prices by
spending the same total amount every time.
2) If a person travels same distances at different speeds, then his average speed over
the whole journey is calculated using the harmonic Mean.
Mean
Q.83 A stockist of readymade garments should follow which type of average and
why? [DU B.Com. (P), 2001]
Ans.: A stockist of readymade garments should follow mode because mode is the
observation that occurs most frequently. The stockist should be interested to know the
modal size of his garments i.e. the size having maximum frequency of demand i.e. the
most common size. He should have a ready knowledge of it so that he may stock the
sufficient quantity of the garment.
Q.84 What is a statistical average? What are the desirable properties for an average
to possess? Mention different types of averages and state why the arithmetic mean is
the most commonly used amongst them. [DU B.Com. (Pass), 1997]
Ans.:
Ans.: A statistical average is a single figure around which the whole data concentrates.
This figure represents the whole series and generally lies in the middle of it. It
describes the characteristics of the entire mass of widely spread data.
The following are the desirable properties for an average to possess:
1. It should be simple to compute.
2. It should be easy to understand.

3. It should be rigidly defined.
4. It should be representative of all the items.
5. It should not be unduly affected by extreme values.
6. It should be capable of further algebraic treatment.
The following are the different types of averages:
averages
(a) Mathematical Averages: These are the averages which normally take into
account all the values of a distribution. The following are some of the most
commonly used mathematical averages:
i) Arithmetic Average (or Mean)
ii) Geometric Mean
iii) Harmonic Mean
(b) Positional Averages: These are the averages which do not take into account all
the values of the distribution. The following are some of the most commonly
used positional averages:
i) Median
ii) Mode
The arithmetic mean is most commonly used among the above because of its following
characteristics:
1. It is easy to understand and calculate.
2. It can be understood by a lay man also.
3. It is determine by a rigid mathematical formula due to which everyone
computing it gets the same result.
4. It is least affected by sampling fluctuations.
5. It takes into account every item of the series.
Q.85 State two important objectives of the measures of central value.

[DU B.Com. (P), 1997]
Ans.: The following are two important objectives of central value:
1) The measures of central value give a single figure which describes and represents
the entire data.
2) They facilitate comparison between different series of data.
Q.86 When is mode said to be ill defined?[DU[DU B.Com. (P), 1997]

Ans.: When the mode is not rigidly defined, then it is known as ill defined.
For example, if a set of data are as follows:
Marks: 20 25 30 35 40 45
No. of students: 5 12 30 30 11 2
Here the mode is not rigidly defined i.e. it is ill defined because the number of students
getting 30 marks is same as the number of students getting 35 marks and both these
marks have the maximum frequency. In such cases, where the mode is ill defined, the
following empirical formula can be used to calculate the mode:
Mode = 3Md − 2X

Q.87 State giving reasons whether the following statement “In a bi-modal case, value
of mode can be calculated with the help of 2X − 2Md formula” is true or false.
[DU B.Com. (P), 2004]
Ans.: The empirical relationship between mean, median and mode is given by:
Mode = 3Md − 2X
Hence, the given statement is false.
Q.88 What is the difference between positional averages and mathematical
averages?
Ans.: The following are the various points of comparison between mathematical
average and the positional average:
S.No. Mathematical Average Positional Average
1 Mathematical Average normally takes Positional Averages like median,
into account all the values of a mode etc do not take into account all
distribution e.g. Arithmetic mean. the values of the distribution.
2 The mathematical averages are The Positional Averages may not be
capable of further algebraic capable of any further algebraic
treatment e.g. combined mean of two treatment.
or more groups can be calculated.
3 For mathematical average, data The positional averages can be found
should be quantitative in nature. even if the data is qualitative in
nature.
4 For finding mathematical average, For finding positional average, data is
the order in which the data is given is arranged in ascending or descending
not important. order
Q.89 “Different averages serve different purposes, but simple mean is an ideal
average that can serve all purposes.” Comment.
Ans.: The statement is not correct. Simple Mean i.e. Arithmetic Mean cannot serve all
purposes. It fails in the following cases:
(i) Compound interest is calculated by Geometric Mean.
(ii) Theoretically, G.M. should be used in averaging index numbers.
(iii) For calculating average speed, when equal distances are covered at different
speeds, Harmonic Mean is used.
(iv) If different articles are purchased at different rates by spending equal amount on
each article, the average rate of purchase is given by Harmonic Mean of difference
rates.
(v) Modal wage is considered to be the best average by Trade Union Leaders/
Workers whereas mean is considered best by Factory Owners, for calculating
average wage of workers.
(vi) In case of open ended class intervals, mean cannot be calculated.
(vii) If the data is qualitative, median is the only average, which can be calculated.
(viii) Manufactures take the modal size as the average.

There are some other situations also where mean cannot be suitable but still mean has
wide variety of applications.
Q.90 Briefly explain the role of grouping and analysis table in the calculation of
mode.
[DU B.Com. (P), 1999]
Ans.: Mode is the value around which there is heaviest concentration of items. When to
or more frequencies are highest or highest frequency is very close to next highest
frequency, mode is found by grouping. Through grouping table, we find out the
concentration of items around a value.
After preparing the grouping table, we prepare the analysis table to find out the class in
which the mode lies.
Q.91 Compare and contrast arithmetic mean, geometric mean and harmonic mean.
Which of them is least affected by extreme items?
Ans.: The following are the various points of comparison between arithmetic mean,
geometric mean and the harmonic mean:
Table Comparing A.M., G.M., and H.M.
Point of comparison Arithmetic Mean Geometric Mean Harmonic Mean
Calculation takes into

All values All values All values
account:
Less effect than A.M.
Extreme values have: Greatest effect but more affect than Least effect
the harmonic mean
Magnitude wise
wise
H.M. ≤ G.M. ≤ A.M.
comparison
∑f
∑ fx  ∑ f. log x  HM =
Formula x = GM = Anti log  1
∑f  ∑f  ∑ f. 
x
Open–
Open–ended class
Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate
makes it:
Cannot be
If one value is zero: Can be calculated Cannot be calculated
calculated.
Usage Most commonly When rate of growth or Where rates of
used among all decline required. the form
the measures of distance per
central tendency. unit time,
It is used when consumption of
there is no fuel per unit
reason to use any distance etc are
other average. given.


Measures of Central Tendency

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Measures of Central Tendency

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MEASURES OF

FEATURES OF A GOOD AVERAGE:

SYNERGY 2.2 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

STEP DEVIATION METHOD

incorrect∑ x − incorrect item + correct item

X12 = Combined mean of the two groups.

Combined Mean X 123 = ( ) N1 X + N 2 X2 + N 3 X3

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.3 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

WEIGHTED ARITHMETIC MEAN:

If w1 , w 2 , w 3 ,- - --, w n are the weights assigned to the values x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ,- - --, x n resp.

QUESTION 4: Calculate weighted mean from the following data.

GEOMETRIC MEAN (GM):

Geometric mean of n positive numbers is the nth root of their product.

For any 2 numbers a & b G.M. = ab .

Note: Using log table:

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.4 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

QUESTION 5: Find the GM for the following distribution:

SYNERGY 2.5 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

RELATION B/W AM, GM AND HM:

1. For any set of positive observations, we have the following inequalities:

RAW DATA DISCRETE DATA CONTINUOUS DATA

Here: n (or N) = no of observation (or sum of frequencies)

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.6 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.7 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

Where I = lower limit of the model class

There is another formula for the mode :

QUESTION 16: Calculate Mode for the following data

EMPRICAL RELATION B/W MEAN, MEDIAN AND MODE:

Mode = 3Median − 2Mean or (Mode − Mean) = 3(Median − Mean)

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.8 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

IT’S YOUR TURN:

Daily demand (Pcs. Of bread) 12 17 20 28 30

Q.5 Calculate the number of shops corresponding to class-interval 30 – 40 of the

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.9 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.10 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

Q.16 The sum of deviations of a certain number of observations measured from 4 is 72

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.11 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

(B.Com., 2000) [Ans. Average Marks = 74.78]

(B.Com., 1995) [Ans. X = 70]

Q.27 The sum of deviations of a certain number of observations measured from 4 is 72

SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

SYNERGY 2.12 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

Q.29 If an additional observation 150 is included in a series 10 observations and its

Q.32 Calculate median for the following data:

Daily Wages (Rs.): 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60

Q.34 Find median of the following data

SYNERGY 2.13 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

No. of Persons: 230 218 200 165 123 73 28 8

Q.35 An incomplete distribution is given below:

Q.37 The following is the distribution of weekly wages of workers

Q.40 With the help of given data, find:

SYNERGY 2.14 MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY [B.COM(H)] PH: 9801232510

(ii) Value of exactly 50% item,

Q.41 Calculate Median and Mode for the following distribution :

Q.42 Calculate mode for the following frequency distribution: