What does "mean" refer to in statistical terms?

• A. Median
• B. Mode
• C. Average
• D. Standard deviation

Answer: (C)

In statistical terms, "mean" specifically refers to the average of a set of numbers. It is calculated by summing all the values in a dataset and dividing by the total number of values. This measure provides a central tendency that reflects the overall level of the data. The mean is particularly useful in analyzing numerical data as it takes into account all values within the dataset, making it sensitive to extreme values or outliers.

Understanding the mean is crucial in fields like bone densitometry, where accurate data interpretation can influence clinical decisions regarding bone health, risk assessments for osteoporosis, and treatment planning. It provides a benchmark for comparing individual measurements against an average to identify possible deviations that may indicate health concerns.