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The geometric mean is relevant on certain sets of data, and is different from the

arithmetic mean. Mathematically, the geometric mean is the nth root of the product

of n numbers.

This can be written as:

Geometric Mean = (a1 × a2 . . . an)^1/n

Where:

N = Number of datapoints

a = score of a datapoint

or more complicated - the exact formula (from wikipedia)

Geometric Mean Formula

The geometric mean is relevant on those sets of data that are products or

exponential in nature. This includes a variety of branches of natural sciences and

social sciences.
Examples
For example, if a strain of bacteria increases its population by 20% in the first hour, 30% in the next
hour and 50% in the next hour, we can find out an estimate of the mean percentage growth in
population.

In this case, it is the geometric mean, and not the arithmetic mean that is relevant. To see this,
start off with 100 bacteria.

After the first hour, they grow to 120 bacteria, which is a grow rate of 1,2 (100*1.2);
After the second hour, they grow to 156 bacteria, which is a grow rate of 1,3 (120*1.3)
After the third hour, they grow to 234 bacteria, which is a grow rate of 1,5 (156*1.5).
Now, we would like to find the mean growth rate

Geometric Mean = (a1 × a2 . . . an)^1/n

Geometric Mean = (1.2 × 1.3 x 1.5)^1/3

Geometric Mean = (1.2 × 1.3 x 1.5)^1/3

Geometric Mean = (2,34)^1/3

Geometric Mean ≈ 1.3276

If we find the geometric mean of 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5, we get 1.3276. This should be interpreted as the
mean rate of growth of the bacteria over the period of 3 hours, which means if the strain of bacteria
grew by 32.76% uniformly over the 3 hour period, then starting with 100 bacteria, it would reach
234 bacteria in 3 hours.

Therefore whenever we have percentage growth over a period of time, it is the geometric mean

Meaning of Arithmetic Mean:


The mean is a measurement of unit most frequently used to describe a frequency distribution of
same type. The arithmetic mean or average is calculated by dividing the sum (total) of all the
individual values of data series by the total number of items.
Example:
The heights of 10
plants are found to be

15,21,17,19,21,16,14,17,15 and 13 cm. Calculated the arithmetic mean of the plant height.

Solution:

So the arithmetic mean of the plant


height is 16.8 cm or the average plant
height is 16.8 cm.

Harmonic Mean

The harmonic mean is a very specific type of average. It’s generally used when dealing with

averages of units, like speed or other rates and ratios.


The formula is:

If the formula above looks daunting, all you need to do to solve it is:

Example
What is the harmonic
mean of 1,5,8,10?

Add the reciprocals of the numbers in the set: 1/1 + 1/5 + 1/8 + 1/10 = 1.425
Divide the number of items in the set by your answer to Step 1. There are 4 items in the set, so:
4 / 1.425 = 2.80702

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