What term is defined as the average of all numbers in a data set?

The term that accurately describes the average of all numbers in a data set is known as the arithmetic mean. This statistical measure is calculated by summing all the values in the data set and then dividing that total by the number of values present. The arithmetic mean is widely used because it provides a representative value of the data set, especially when the data points are evenly distributed.

In contrast, the median refers to the middle value in a data set when the numbers are arranged in order, and it is sensitive to the data distribution, particularly in skewed distributions. The mode indicates the most frequently occurring value in a data set; it highlights the value that appears the most often but does not represent an average. The geometric mean is another type of average, calculated by multiplying all the numbers in a data set together and then taking the nth root (where n is the count of values). This measure is particularly useful in situations with multiplicative relationships or for data that spans several orders of magnitude.

Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the appropriate averaging method based on the characteristics of the data being analyzed.