Question

The mean of 4 data values is calculated. One of the data values is 3 above

the mean. Another value is 4 above the mean. A third value is 1 above the
mean. What is true about the fourth data value? olla
A It is 8 below the mean.
B It is 6 below the mean.
C It is equal to the mean.
D It is 2 above the mean.

Answer 1

It is 2 above the mean

Answer 2

9514 1404 393

Answer:

A. It is 8 below the mean

Explanation:

The sum of differences from the mean is always zero. If x is the difference from the mean that the fourth data value has, then we must have ...

3 + 4 + 1 + x = 0

x = -8 . . . . . . . . . subtract 8

The fourth data value must be 8 below the mean.

_____

Additional comment

I find this property of the mean to be very useful in solving any number of problems related to differences from an actual or a desired mean.