CP009: Averages are Mean – Know these things before you make any more AVERAGE()s

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In the 9th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets raise above AVERAGEs.

CP009: Averages are mean - Know these things before you calculate any more AVERAGE()s - Chandoo.org Podcast

What is in this session?

At this exact time, one in every 3 analysts in the world are calculating an AVERAGE().  – Someone

AVERAGEs are a very popular and universal way to summarize data. But do you know they are mean? Mean as in, AVERAGEs do not reveal much about your data or business. In episode 9 of Chandoo.org podcast, we tackle this problem and present solutions.

In this podcast, you will learn,

  • What is AVERAGE?
  • Pitfalls of averages
  • 5 statistic concepts you must understand
    • Standard Deviation
    • Median
    • Quartiles
    • Outliers
    • Distribution of data
  • What next?

NOTE: This is a 2 part podcast. 2nd part will be published next week.

Go ahead and listen to the show

Links & Resources mentioned in this session:

Example of a box plot - used to understand the distribution of dataAverage FormulaSyntax, examples

Explanation of Standard Deviation

Making a box plot

Statistics & Probability for analyst – a guide

Transcript of this session:

Download this podcast transcript [PDF].

Do you use AVERAGEs for your analysis? What do you think about them?

AVERAGE is such an easy and convenient thing that we use it often. For many of my reports I start with AVERAGE and then improve the metrics to show insights.

What about you? Do you calculate AVERAGE() for your reports? What other types of statistics you use to summarize data? Where do you find AVERAGE to be useful (or useless)? Please share your thoughts using comments.

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30 Responses to “Great News: Chandoo becomes MVP”

  1. arkangel says:

    Congratulations! It's well deserved. 🙂

  2. Bhars says:

    This is amazing. Hearty congratulations and a rocking new year ahead!!!

  3. Frederick says:

    Congrats! I have learnt alot from your site... and the most important is learning how to achieve the most with the simplest concepts.

  4. Harish Chotai says:

    Thanks for the excel calendar. Is it possible to get a simple big fonted calendar printable on an A4 size paper without any distracive notes or visuals? BTW, I have already signed up for your newsletter. With warm regards and
    Gratefully yours
    50+ year old CHarish.

  5. Pankaj Verm says:

    Hey Chandoo,

    Great to hear that. Congratulations! The best new year gift, I would say. Keep it up, u've been doing extraordinary work for the excel users community.

    Regards,

    Pankaj Verma

  6. Amit says:

    Congrats dude... fantastic news!

  7. Rich says:

    congratulations! your site is great, this is well deserved

    Rich

  8. Arnold says:

    I recently found your site, I visit many. The tips that you provide are in the top 1% of all the sites I visit. Keep on Excelling.

    Arnold
    South Africa

  9. Jorge Camoes says:

    Congratulations, Chandoo! That's a great way to start the year and make the PHD even better.

  10. Jiri Cihar says:

    Congratulations, Chandoo.

    Your site is one of most useful on the net. Happy new year and lot of ideas you will present for us.

  11. Amit Agarwal says:

    Congrats.

    Just read your name in an email from Abhishek. Well deserved.

  12. Jon Peltier says:

    Congratulations, and Happy New Year.

  13. Fchaves says:

    Greetings from Rio de Janeiro my friend! You trully deserve it!

    Nive way to start 2009! Keep up the good work!

    FC

  14. Santosh says:

    That was quite forseeable , so you have now really got your PhD in excel.
    Anyways Chandoo you have made excel a real Fun doo
    I will like you to write some more on INDEX and MATCH function in near future.

  15. Ketan says:

    @Hey Chandoo ! Congrates....

    Ab to treat mangta hai !

  16. Rajiv Thakur says:

    Well deserved Chandoo!!

  17. Cheryl says:

    Congrat's!! Very well deserved 🙂

  18. azmat says:

    i always browsed mr.excel and used to see MVP writtne below names of people who used to solve queries in excel forum there......i just used to admire as to what they have special in them that they are MVP......

    but now i got my answer...............u deserve it man..........

  19. Chandoo says:

    @All: thanks everyone 🙂

  20. JP says:

    Congratulations Chandoo, nice job!

  21. Subbaraman says:

    Chandoo,

    A well deserved recognition and a good start to the New Year. Continue your good work.

    Subbu

  22. Vishal Haria says:

    Many Congratulations.
    You deserve a Ph.D. 🙂

  23. Govar says:

    Congrats dude. Rock on!

  24. [...] charting community in 2007 and has been growing strongly ever since. In year 2009, I have received the MVP award from Microsoft. Just few days back I have become a dad [...]

  25. Respected sir,

    I am impressed!.... Good job done.. Keep it up...

    Sir, How to be a MVP certified person. What level of knowledge is required for it? send me links if possible.

    Please reply...

    Regards,
    Dipak Khalasi.

  26. Jon Peltier says:

    Dipak -

    The first thing you need to cultivate is the ability to search the web effectively. You could start by Googling "Microsoft MVP". 

  27. [...] boy and girl which has been made hectic and incredibly fun ever since to their life.He has been awarded MVP status in 2009 by Microsoft(and renewed in 2010,2011 & 2012).His MVP profile is here.If you want to contact him direct then [...]

  28. Sumit says:

    Congrats Chandoo!!

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