Calculate Average: Finding Mean When 10 Numbers Sum to 5

The average $\frac{1}{2}$ represents the balance point of all ten numbers. Since their total is only 5, some numbers could be larger than $\frac{1}{2}$, but others must be smaller (or even negative) to keep the sum at 5.

Yes! Both 5 and 10 are divisible by 5, so $\frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{2}$. Always simplify fractions to their lowest terms for the clearest answer.

If ten numbers sum to 0, their average would be $\frac{0}{10} = 0$. This means the positive and negative numbers in the set perfectly cancel each other out!

No! The numbers can be completely different. For example: 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1 also sum to 5, giving the same average of $\frac{1}{2}$.

Think of it as sharing equally: If you have 5 cookies to share among 10 people, each person gets $\frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{2}$ of a cookie. Sum ÷ Count = Average!