Mean absolute deviation, step by step
The mean says where a set of numbers sits; the mean absolute deviation says how spread out they are around it.
The question
MAD of 7, 43, 33, 43, 4
74333434
mean =26
74333434
distance:191771722
distance:191771722
82 ÷ 5 =16.4
- The mean absolute deviation measures how spread out the numbers are. First find the mean: 7 + 43 + 33 + 43 + 4 = 130, then 130 ÷ 5 = 26.
- Now the distance of each number from 26, with the sign thrown away: 19, 17, 7, 17, 22.
- Then average those distances: 19 + 17 + 7 + 17 + 22 = 82, and 82 ÷ 5 = 16.4.
How it works.
- 01
The mean absolute deviation measures how spread out the numbers are. First find the mean: 7 + 43 + 33 + 43 + 4 = 130, then 130 ÷ 5 = 26.
- 02
Now the distance of each number from 26, with the sign thrown away: 19, 17, 7, 17, 22.
- 03
Then average those distances: 19 + 17 + 7 + 17 + 22 = 82, and 82 ÷ 5 = 16.4.