Find the Mean 2 , 4 , 6 , 8

$2$ , $4$ , $6$ , $8$

Step 1

The mean of a set of numbers is the sum divided by the number of terms.

$\frac{2 + 4 + 6 + 8}{4}$

Step 2

Cancel the common factor of $2 + 4 + 6 + 8$ and $4$ .

Factor $2$ out of $2$ .

$\frac{2 (1) + 4 + 6 + 8}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $4$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot 1 + 2 \cdot 2 + 6 + 8}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $2 \cdot 1 + 2 \cdot 2$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2) + 6 + 8}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $6$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2) + 2 (3) + 8}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $2 \cdot (1 + 2) + 2 (3)$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3) + 8}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $8$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3) + 2 (4)}{4}$

Factor $2$ out of $2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3) + 2 (4)$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)}{4}$

Cancel the common factors.

Factor $2$ out of $4$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)}{2 (2)}$

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 \cdot (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)}{2 \cdot 2}$

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{1 + 2 + 3 + 4}{2}$

Step 3

Simplify the numerator.

Add $1$ and $2$ .

$\frac{3 + 3 + 4}{2}$

Add $3$ and $3$ .

$\frac{6 + 4}{2}$

Add $6$ and $4$ .

$\frac{10}{2}$

Step 4

Divide $10$ by $2$ .

$5$