How is the mean calculated in statistical analysis?

The mean, often referred to as the average, is calculated by taking the total sum of all values in a data set and dividing that sum by the total number of observations in the set. This method provides a central value that represents the data set as a whole. It is particularly useful when you want to obtain a single value that summarizes the data.

To clarify further, this process involves two key steps: first, add together all the individual values to obtain their total sum. Next, divide that sum by the number of values you added together. This calculation allows for a straightforward interpretation of your data, especially in large sets where individual observations may vary widely.

The other options detail different statistical concepts that don't relate to calculating the mean. The mode refers to the most frequently occurring value, while the median identifies the middle value when data is ordered. The range measures the difference between the highest and lowest values within the data set, none of which provides the calculation needed for determining the mean.