Final answer:
The mean of a collection of data is located at the center of a distribution, synonymous with 'average', and is most informative in symmetric distributions like the normal distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mean of a collection of data is located at the center of a distribution of data. The mean, which is often used interchangeably with the term 'average,' represents the sum of all data values divided by the number of values in the set.
It is particularly informative in symmetric distributions, such as the normal distribution, where it coincides with the median and mode at the center of the distribution. In skewed distributions, however, the mean can be influenced by outliers and may not accurately reflect the center or typical value of the data set.
Alternatively, the median, which divides a data set into two halves, can be a more reliable measure of the central tendency when outliers are present.