How to Calculate Harmonic Mean
What is Harmonic Mean?
The harmonic mean is best for rates and ratios. It emphasizes smaller values in a dataset and is the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of reciprocals, often used for average speeds.
Formula
HM = n / (1/x₁ + 1/x₂ + ... + 1/xₙ)
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Calculate the reciprocal of each number
- 2Sum all reciprocals
- 3Divide n by the sum of reciprocals
Worked Examples
Input
Speeds: 60 km/h, 40 km/h
Result
HM = 48 km/h
2 / (1/60 + 1/40) = 48
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Confusing harmonic and arithmetic means
- ✕Wrong application context
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