Here's an average way of doin' it!

Have you ever been asked to find the average of two numbers, and wanted to know a simple way to find the solution without a calculator or paper and pencil?  There is a very easy remedy, and most of us probably never realized how basic this process is.

Let's look at an example or two, and even use a real-world situation to illustrate.

John went bowling last night and wanted to know the average score of his first two games.  He bowled a 242 in his first game, and earned a better score in his 2nd game, tallying an impressive 278!  What was John's average so far?

Solution:
Step 1: Find the difference between the scores of the two games. 278 - 242 = 36.
Step 2: Divide 36 by 2, which is 18.
Step 3: Add 18 to the smaller number, which is 242 + 18 = 260.
All set!  The average of 242 and 278 is 260.

Let's try another one.

Freddy cut grass for 2 of his neighbors today, and was paid $15 and $19.  He wants to know the average earnings per lawn he mows, so he can estimate how many more he needs to cut to save enough money for his new bicycle.

Solution:
Step 1: Find the difference between $15 and $19, which is 4.
Step 2: Divide 4 by 2 = 2
Step 3: Add 2 to the smaller number, which is simply $15 + $2 = $17.
We have solved it rather quickly!  The average of $15 and $19 = $17.

Additional Information:
To find the average of two numbers, you are merely finding the midpoint between those two numbers.
The midpoint between 7 and 9 is 8.

Look how easy this method is!  Create a few more scenarios of your own, and don't forget to share this practical tip with a friend.