Look at this set of 8 numbers: 73, 66, 26, 64, 26, 17, 95, 65. How would the mean change if the number 36 were added to the set?

Step 1: Find the mean of the given numbers
GIVEN: 73, 66, 26, 64, 26, 17, 95, 65
Mean = \frac{\text{ Sum of the variables}}{\text{Total number of variables}}
Add up the numbers
73 + 66 + 26 + 64 + 26 + 17 + 95 + 65 = 432
There 8 numbers
Therefore, Mean = \frac{432}{8}
Original mean = 54
Step 2: Find the mean after adding the additional number
73, 66, 26, 64, 26, 17, 95, 65, 36
Add up the numbers
73 + 66 + 26 + 64 + 26 + 17 + 95 + 65 + 36 = 468
There 9 numbers
Therefore, Mean = \frac{468}{9}
Mean = 52
Hence, after adding the additional number the mean is decreased