Question

what is the mean? if the answer is a decimal, round it to the nearest tenth. 3 8 10 16 2 15 2 16

Explanation:

Step1: Sum the numbers

We add up all the given numbers: \(3 + 8 + 10 + 16 + 2 + 15 + 2 + 16\). Let's calculate that: \(3+8 = 11\), \(11 + 10 = 21\), \(21 + 16 = 37\), \(37 + 2 = 39\), \(39 + 15 = 54\), \(54 + 2 = 56\), \(56 + 16 = 72\). So the sum is \(72\).

Step2: Count the numbers

There are 8 numbers in the set: \(3, 8, 10, 16, 2, 15, 2, 16\).

Step3: Calculate the mean

The mean is the sum divided by the number of elements. So we do \(\frac{72}{8}=9\)? Wait, no, wait, let's re - check the sum. Wait, \(3+8 = 11\), \(11+10 = 21\), \(21 + 16=37\), \(37+2 = 39\), \(39+15 = 54\), \(54+2 = 56\), \(56+16 = 72\). Wait, 8 numbers. Wait, \(72\div8 = 9\)? Wait, but let's check again. Wait, the numbers are 3, 8, 10, 16, 2, 15, 2, 16. Let's add again: \(3 + 8=11\), \(10+16 = 26\), \(2+15 = 17\), \(2+16 = 18\). Then \(11+26 = 37\), \(17+18 = 35\), \(37+35 = 72\). Yes, sum is 72, number of elements is 8. So mean is \(72\div8 = 9.0\)? Wait, no, wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, 3,8,10,16,2,15,2,16. Let's count the numbers: 1. 3, 2. 8, 3. 10, 4. 16, 5. 2, 6. 15, 7. 2, 8. 16. So 8 numbers. Sum: 3+8 = 11; 11+10 = 21; 21+16 = 37; 37+2 = 39; 39+15 = 54; 54+2 = 56; 56+16 = 72. So 72 divided by 8 is 9. Wait, but maybe I miscalculated the sum. Wait, 3 + 8+10+16+2+15+2+16. Let's group them as (3 + 8)+(10 + 16)+(2 + 15)+(2 + 16)=11 + 26+17 + 18. 11+26 = 37, 17+18 = 35, 37+35 = 72. Yes. So 72/8 = 9.0. Wait, but the problem says "if the answer is a decimal, round to the nearest tenth". But 9 is an integer, so it's 9.0 or 9.

Wait, wait, maybe I made a mistake in the sum. Let's check each number: 3, 8, 10, 16, 2, 15, 2, 16. Let's add them one by one:

3 (total: 3)

3 + 8 = 11 (total: 11)

11 + 10 = 21 (total: 21)

21 + 16 = 37 (total: 37)

37 + 2 = 39 (total: 39)

39 + 15 = 54 (total: 54)

54 + 2 = 56 (total: 56)

56 + 16 = 72 (total: 72)

Number of terms: 8.

Mean = sum / number of terms = 72 / 8 = 9.

Answer:

9.0 (or 9)