In a data set where quantities carry different weights, the average that accounts for these weights is called the

In a data set where quantities carry different weights, the average that accounts for these weights is called the

• A. Median
• B. Weighted mean
• C. Mode
• D. Range

Answer: (B)

When quantities carry different weights, you adjust the average by giving each value a weight that reflects its importance. Multiply each value by its weight, sum those products, and then divide by the sum of the weights. This yields an average that reflects the varying significance of each quantity. For example, with values 2 (weight 1) and 4 (weight 3), the weighted mean is (2×1 + 4×3) / (1+3) = 3.5. The median ignores weights, the mode is just the most frequent value, and the range measures spread rather than central tendency. So the correct term is weighted mean.

When quantities carry different weights, you adjust the average by giving each value a weight that reflects its importance. Multiply each value by its weight, sum those products, and then divide by the sum of the weights. This yields an average that reflects the varying significance of each quantity. For example, with values 2 (weight 1) and 4 (weight 3), the weighted mean is (2×1 + 4×3) / (1+3) = 3.5. The median ignores weights, the mode is just the most frequent value, and the range measures spread rather than central tendency. So the correct term is weighted mean.