On 5 Jul 2002 11:37:52 +0200, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Dr. S. Shapiro)
wrote:
>Dear Colleagues,
>
> I am seeking a not-too-technical article written for non-statisticians
>that clearly explains the differences between arithmetic, harmonic, and
>geometric means, and under which circumstances either the arithmetic,
>harmonic, or geometric mean wold be preferred.
>
>S. Shapiro
Check out site below and select "measures of central tendency." All
of the means you want to review are here along with how to compute
them. In most statistical "canned" packages, these means are computed
with other descriptive features.
http://www.xycoon.com/index.htm
Simply stated: The aritimetic mean is the everyday "average" most
people think of, i.e., adding up a column and dividing by the no. of
items.
A geometic mean is used in the computation of index nos., growth
situations in biology and population, increments of money at compound
interest, and averaging percentages. It is less affected by extreme
values in a distribution.
The harmonic mean is helpful in date derived from fluctuating
situations. For example, finding your average speed on a trip going
through mountains, valleys, cities, etc.
.
.
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