Have you ever gotten a grade where tests were worth more than homework? Or tried to combine scores where some things mattered more than others?
That’s exactly what a weighted average is for—it helps you calculate a fair average when some numbers count more than others.
Let’s break it down in a simple, easy-to-follow way!
Table of Contents
⚖️ What Is a Weighted Average?
A weighted average is just like a regular average, but instead of each number being treated equally, some numbers have more “weight” (or importance).
In real life, this is super useful for:
- Grades and GPA
- Investments
- Budgeting
- Project evaluations
✏️ The Simple Formula
Here’s the formula for weighted average:
Weighted Average = (Value × Weight) + (Value × Weight) + … ÷ Total of the Weights
You multiply each value by its weight, add them all up, and then divide by the total weight.
🧮 Example: School Grades
Let’s say your final grade depends on:
- Homework (20%)
- Midterm (30%)
- Final Exam (50%)
And here are your scores:
- Homework = 85
- Midterm = 75
- Final Exam = 90
Let’s plug it in:
Weighted Average = (85 × 0.2) + (75 × 0.3) + (90 × 0.5)
= 17 + 22.5 + 45 = 84.5
🎉 Your final grade is 84.5!
⚙️ Calculator
Enter the values and weighting percentage (note that the total percentage cannot exceed 100%). The tool will provide the weighted average.
🧩 Why Not Use a Regular Average?
A regular average would treat every score the same. But if your final exam is way more important than homework, that wouldn’t be fair.
Weighted average gives you a more accurate picture when some values matter more than others.
✅ Quick Recap
- Multiply each value by its weight
- Add those results together
- Divide by the total of the weights
- That’s your weighted average! 🧠📊
It’s simple math with powerful results—and now you know how to use it like a pro!