Final answer:
Average returns can be calculated using different methods, such as the arithmetic average method and the geometric average method.
Step-by-step explanation:
Average returns can be calculated using different methods. Two common methods are the arithmetic average method and the geometric average method.
In the arithmetic average method, you add up the returns and divide by the number of data points. For example, if you have returns of 5%, 10%, and 15%, you add them up (5% + 10% + 15% = 30%) and divide by 3 to get an average of 10%.
In the geometric average method, you calculate the average rate of return. For example, if you have returns of 5%, 10%, and 15%, you multiply them (1.05 * 1.10 * 1.15 = 1.79175) and take the nth root (where n is the number of data points) to get an average of 1.091 or 9.1%.