The mean of the following dataset is 8. Find the mean absolute deviation of the dataset. Express your answer as a decimal. {5.8,7,8.1,9.2,9.9} (1 point)

1 answer

To find the mean absolute deviation (MAD) of the dataset \({5.8, 7, 8.1, 9.2, 9.9}\) with a mean of \(8\), follow these steps:

  1. Calculate the absolute deviations from the mean:

    • For \(5.8\): \(|5.8 - 8| = | -2.2 | = 2.2\)
    • For \(7\): \(|7 - 8| = |-1| = 1\)
    • For \(8.1\): \(|8.1 - 8| = |0.1| = 0.1\)
    • For \(9.2\): \(|9.2 - 8| = |1.2| = 1.2\)
    • For \(9.9\): \(|9.9 - 8| = |1.9| = 1.9\)
  2. List the absolute deviations: \({2.2, 1, 0.1, 1.2, 1.9}\)

  3. Calculate the mean of these absolute deviations: \[ \text{Mean Absolute Deviation} = \frac{2.2 + 1 + 0.1 + 1.2 + 1.9}{5} \]

    First, sum the absolute deviations: \[ 2.2 + 1 + 0.1 + 1.2 + 1.9 = 6.4 \]

    Then, divide by the number of data points: \[ \text{Mean Absolute Deviation} = \frac{6.4}{5} = 1.28 \]

Thus, the mean absolute deviation of the dataset is \(\boxed{1.28}\).