PET 2026 · CSAT

Turn averages back into totals

Find missing observations, subgroup values and shifted means using Total = Mean × Count

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MINDMAPS FOR UPSCPET 2026 · VISUAL REVISION

Turn averages back into totals

Find missing observations, subgroup values and shifted means using Total = Mean × Count

Process flow
Mean and Total Conversion
  1. Convert Mean into Total Sum

    • Because Mean = Sum ÷ n, every average statement immediately gives Sum = Mean × n.
    • Eight numbers with mean 10 must sum to 8 × 10 = 80; five years with mean 36.66 sum to 183.3.
    • Totals let you combine or separate groups while keeping their counts explicit.
  2. Isolate a Missing Observation

    • Missing value x = (Required total of all n items) − (Sum of the known n − 1 items).
    • Eight items average 10, with known sum 64: missing value = 8 × 10 − 64 = 16.
    • Check by substitution: (64 + 16)/8 = 10.
  3. Subtract Disjoint Subgroup Sums

    • When a list is split into non-overlapping parts, Whole Sum = Part 1 Sum + Part 2 Sum + Remainder.
    • Eight items sum to 336; the first four sum to 160 and the next three to 132.
    • The 8th number is simply the leftover total: 336 − (160 + 132) = 336 − 292 = 44.
  4. Shift the Mean by Added Terms

    • Adding a constant c to every existing observation changes the mean by c.
    • Add one offset to each existing datum: new mean = old mean + average offset.
    • Adding 5, 10, 15, …, 50 to x₁…x₁₀ (mean 20) adds (5 + 50)/2 = 27.5, giving new mean 47.5.
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Practise this concept · संबंधित प्रश्न

One visual, several questions. These links open the original paper at the matching question.

25 Oct · Shift 1 · 2026

25 Oct · Shift 2 · 2026

30 Oct · Shift 1 · 2026

Sources & study notes · स्रोत

Independent revision material, linked to the paper’s concepts. The question papers and answer-key status are available on OpenPYQ.