How is the mean of a set of numbers calculated?

The mean of a set of numbers is calculated by summing all the values within that set and then dividing the result by the total count of numbers in the set. This method effectively provides the average of the numbers, which is a common way to represent a central value in a dataset.

To calculate the mean, you first gather all the numbers together. For example, if you have the numbers 3, 5, and 7, you would add these numbers together: 3 + 5 + 7 equals 15. Next, you would count the total number of numbers in your dataset, which is 3 in this case. Finally, you divide the sum by the count: 15 divided by 3 results in a mean of 5.

This approach allows for a precise measurement that reflects the overall magnitude of the values present, making it a fundamental concept in statistics. The other options provided do not accurately reflect the proper method for calculating the mean.