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Talk:Averages/Arithmetic mean: Difference between revisions
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arbitrary value for empty array
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Why is it required that an arbitrary result, 0, be returned when the input is empty? --[[User:Kevin Reid|Kevin Reid]] 22:57, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
:I suppose we have to define something. From the [[wp:arithmetic mean|Wikipedia page]], the mean is defined as "the sum from i=1 to n ...", so the mean of an empty set of data is undefined. The problem could have specified Inf or nil or anything. (However, it seems the [http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-Empty+Set average salary of the empty set] is US$24,000 :/ ) --[[User:Glennj|glennj]] 19:46, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
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