How is the mean calculated when given the sum of multiple data points?

The mean is calculated by taking the total sum of all the data points and dividing that sum by the number of data points. This method provides an average value that represents the central tendency of the data set.

For example, if you have a set of numbers and you add them together to find the total, the mean gives you a single number that reflects the overall average of those values. Dividing by the number of items ensures that this average considers the contribution of each individual data point. This calculation is fundamental in statistics and allows for meaningful comparisons between different sets of figures.

In the context provided, this option accurately describes the process of finding the mean, making it the correct choice.