Find the Mean {3,-6,-15,-24}

${3, - 6, - 15, - 24}$

Step 1

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

$\frac{3 - 6 - 15 - 24}{4}$

Step 2

Simplify the numerator.

Subtract $6$ from $3$ .

$\frac{- 3 - 15 - 24}{4}$

Subtract $15$ from $- 3$ .

$\frac{- 18 - 24}{4}$

Subtract $24$ from $- 18$ .

$\frac{- 42}{4}$

Step 3

Reduce the expression by cancelling the common factors.

Cancel the common factor of $- 42$ and $4$ .

Factor $2$ out of $- 42$ .

$\frac{2 (- 21)}{4}$

Cancel the common factors.

Factor $2$ out of $4$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot - 21}{2 \cdot 2}$

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 \cdot - 21}{2 \cdot 2}$

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{- 21}{2}$

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{21}{2}$

Step 4

Divide.

$- 10.5$