PET 2026 · CSAT

Weighted averages: count every person

Why group sizes must multiply group rates before you compute a company-wide average

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MINDMAPS FOR UPSCPET 2026 · VISUAL REVISION

Weighted averages: count every person

Why group sizes must multiply group rates before you compute a company-wide average

Concept map
Weighted Average Principle
Group size determines the weightGroup A2 students × 60 = 120Group B3 students × 80 = 240Combined mean = (120 + 240) ÷ (2 + 3) = 72
Group size determines the weightSwipe sideways to explore the diagram.

1 · Calculate group totals

  • Group payroll = employees × salary per employee.
  • 10 employees at ₹20,000 cost ₹2,00,000.
  • 30 employees at ₹40,000 cost ₹12,00,000.

2 · Divide by total weight

  • Weighted mean = Σ(w × value) / Σw.
  • Total payroll ₹14,00,000 ÷ 40 employees = ₹35,000 average.
  • A simple mean of the two salaries gives ₹30,000 and ignores different group sizes.

3 · Handle a subgroup change

  • Raise 30 employees’ salaries by ₹2,000: additional payroll = ₹60,000.
  • Overall mean rises by ₹60,000/40 = ₹1,500.
  • Only the changed group’s contribution needs updating.

4 · Check the interpretation

  • Weights may be people, quantities or frequencies.
  • Keep each weight attached to its own value.
  • The mean must lie between the smallest and largest values when weights are positive.
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Practise this concept · संबंधित प्रश्न

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25 Oct · Shift 2 · 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.