The AVERAGE function
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which formula finds the average of the numbers in cells B2 to B10?
2. What does the AVERAGE function do with the numbers in the range?
3. Cells B2 to B6 hold 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. What does =AVERAGE(B2:B6) show?
4. Which function would you use to find the TOTAL of cells B2 to B10?
5. Which statement is true?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1=AVERAGE(B2:B10) | AFinds the total of the numbers, not the average | |
| 2=SUM(B2:B10) | BFinds the mean of the numbers in cells B2 to B10 | |
| 3To find the typical value of the scores in cells C2 to C8, use the AVERAGE function | CA comma picks only two cells, B2 and B10. A colon is needed to include every cell from B2 to B10 | |
| 4A student's 4 test scores are 6, 8, 10 and 8. The average is the total (32) divided by 4, which is 8 | D=AVERAGE(C2:C8) | |
| 5AVERAGE(B2:B10) | EThe formula is missing the = sign at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text and does not calculate it | |
| 6=AVERAGE(B2,B10) | F=AVERAGE(A1:A4) |
C
Definitions
=AVERAGE(B2:B10)
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
=_______(B2:B10)
2.
=AVERAGE(______)
3.
=AVERAGE(B2_B10)
4.
_AVERAGE(C2:C8)
5.
=___(B2:B10) / COUNT(B2:B10)
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
D2: AVERAGE(B2:B10)
B
D3: =SUM(B2:B10)
C
D4: =COUNT(B2:B10)
Question 2
A
B2: 12
B
B3: 15
C
B4: 9
D
B5: =AVRAGE(B2:B4)
Question 3
A
B2: 10
B
B3: 20
C
B4: =AVERAGE[B2:B3]
D
B4 shows 15
Question 4
A
Scores: 4, 6, 8
B
Total: 4+6+8 = 16
C
Count: 3 scores
D
Average: 18 / 3 = 6
Question 5
A
Scores: 2, 4, 6
B
Total: 12
C
Average: 12 - 3 = 9
D
=AVERAGE(B2:B4) gives 4
Answer Key
The AVERAGE function
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — =AVERAGE(B2:B10)
Q2
A — Adds them up and divides by how many numbers there are
Q3
A — 6
Q4
B — =SUM(B2:B10)
Q5
A — The average is usually smaller than the total
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=AVERAGE(B2:B10) → Finds the mean of the numbers in cells B2 to B10
Q2
=SUM(B2:B10) → Finds the total of the numbers, not the average
Q3
To find the typical value of the scores in cells C2 to C8, use the AVERAGE function → =AVERAGE(C2:C8)
Q4
A student's 4 test scores are 6, 8, 10 and 8. The average is the total (32) divided by 4, which is 8 → =AVERAGE(A1:A4)
Q5
AVERAGE(B2:B10) → The formula is missing the = sign at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text and does not calculate it
Q6
=AVERAGE(B2,B10) → A comma picks only two cells, B2 and B10. A colon is needed to include every cell from B2 to B10
Section C: Definitions
Q1
=AVERAGE(B2:B10) — A spreadsheet function that adds up the numbers in cells B2 to B10 and divides by how many there are, to find the mean (the typical value). It is not the total.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=AVERAGE(B2:B10)Q2
=AVERAGE(B2:B10)Q3
=AVERAGE(B2:B10)Q4
=AVERAGE(C2:C8)Q5
=SUM(B2:B10) / COUNT(B2:B10)Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
A — A formula must start with =. Without it the spreadsheet shows the text instead of working out the mean. It should be =AVERAGE(B2:B10).
Q2
D — The function name is spelled wrong. The spreadsheet does not know AVRAGE. It should be =AVERAGE(B2:B4).
Q3
C — Functions use round brackets, not square brackets. It should be =AVERAGE(B2:B3).
Q4
B — 4 + 6 + 8 is 18, not 16. The average is the total divided by the count, so the total must be right first.
Q5
C — To find the average you divide the total by how many numbers there are. It should be 12 / 3 = 4, not subtract.