Final answer:
The mean is a statistical measure used to find the average of a set of numbers. It is preferred because it takes into account every data element available, providing a more accurate representation of the overall data. It is more efficient for calculating the sum compared to other measures of central tendency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mean is a statistical measure used to find the average of a set of numbers. It is calculated by adding up all the numbers in the set and then dividing the sum by the total number of values. For example, if you have test scores of 86, 75, and 92, you would add them up (86 + 75 + 92 = 253) and then divide by the number of scores (3), giving a mean score of 84.3.
The mean is preferred in many situations because it takes into account every data element available, providing a more accurate representation of the overall data. It is also more efficient for calculating the sum compared to other measures of central tendency.