Averages word problems, step by step
An average is a fair share: gather everything up, then spread it out evenly.
The question
What was the mean number of points?
Over three quizzes this term, a student scored 26, 33 and 31 points.
26 + 33 + 31 = 90
26 + 33 + 31 = 90
90 ÷ 3 = 30 points
asked:What was the mean number of points?
30 points
- Read it through once. The MEAN (average) is the one number that could replace every value and keep the same total — it is the total shared out equally, not any single value.
- Add all the values to get the total: 26 + 33 + 31 = 90.
- Divide the total by how many values there are: 90 ÷ 3 = 30 points. That is the mean.
- Answer the question that was asked — "What was the mean number of points?" — 30 points.
How it works.
- 01
Read it through once. The MEAN (average) is the one number that could replace every value and keep the same total — it is the total shared out equally, not any single value.
- 02
Add all the values to get the total: 26 + 33 + 31 = 90.
- 03
Divide the total by how many values there are: 90 ÷ 3 = 30 points. That is the mean.
- 04
Answer the question that was asked — "What was the mean number of points?" — 30 points.