Harmonic Mean Calculator

Enter a set of numbers to calculate the harmonic mean.

Calculate the Harmonic Mean of a Set of Numbers

Result

What Is the Harmonic Mean?

The harmonic mean is a specialized type of average used to describe the overall characteristics of a data set, particularly for rates like speed or efficiency. It is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the average of the reciprocals of the numbers in the data set. The formula is: \( H = \frac{n}{\sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{1}{x_i}} \) Where: \( n \) is the total number of values, \( x_i \) is each individual value.

How to Calculate the Harmonic Mean?

Steps:

  • Find the reciprocal of each number in the set.
  • Calculate the sum of these reciprocals.
  • Divide the total number of values by the sum of reciprocals to obtain the harmonic mean.
  • Examples

    Example 1: Calculate the Harmonic Mean of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500

    Solution:

    Reciprocals:

    \( \frac{1}{100} = 0.01 \), \( \frac{1}{200} = 0.005 \), \( \frac{1}{300} = 0.003333 \), \( \frac{1}{400} = 0.0025 \), \( \frac{1}{500} = 0.002 \)

    Sum of reciprocals:

    \( \frac{1}{100} + \frac{1}{200} + \frac{1}{300} + \frac{1}{400} + \frac{1}{500} = 0.01 + 0.005 + 0.0033333 + 0.0025 + 0.002 \approx 0.0228333 \)

    Harmonic mean:

    \( H = \frac{5}{0.0228333} \approx 218.9781 \)

    Example 2: Calculate the Harmonic Mean of 60, 120, 180

    Solution:

    Reciprocals:

    \( \frac{1}{60} \approx 0.01667 \), \( \frac{1}{120} \approx 0.00833 \), \( \frac{1}{180} \approx 0.00556 \)

    Sum of reciprocals:

    \( \frac{1}{60} + \frac{1}{120} + \frac{1}{180} \approx 0.01667 + 0.00833 + 0.00556 \approx 0.03056 \)

    Harmonic mean:

    \( H = \frac{3}{0.03056} \approx 98.18 \)