1. What is Weighted Average?

A weighted average is an average where some data points contribute more than others to the final result. Each value is multiplied by a predetermined weight before summing, and the total is divided by the sum of all weights.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the weighted average formula:

Where:

• Value — The numerical value to be averaged
• Weight — The importance or significance of each value
• Σ — Summation symbol indicating the sum of all products

Explanation: The formula calculates the mean where each value's contribution is proportional to its assigned weight.

3. Importance of Weighted Average

Details: Weighted averages are crucial in statistics, finance, education (GPA calculation), inventory management, and any situation where different data points have varying levels of importance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter values and weights as comma-separated lists. Ensure both lists have the same number of elements. Weights should be positive numbers, and the sum of weights must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between weighted average and regular average?
A: Regular average gives equal importance to all values, while weighted average allows some values to contribute more significantly to the result based on their weights.

Q2: Can weights be negative?
A: Typically no. Weights should be positive numbers as they represent the relative importance of each value. Negative weights would invert the contribution.

Q3: What if the sum of weights equals zero?
A: The calculation becomes undefined (division by zero). Ensure the sum of weights is always greater than zero.

Q4: How are weights determined?
A: Weights are determined based on the relative importance, frequency, or significance of each value in the specific context of the calculation.

Q5: Can I use decimal weights?
A: Yes, weights can be any positive numbers including decimals. The important factor is that their sum must be positive.