This short tutorial will teach how to use Python for the average of the list and set and how to use Numpy to find the average of an array – matrix columns and rows.
1. Average in Python
In Python, you can use the native module statistics and import mean to compute the average (mean) of a list or set as we show below
import statistics
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4]
list_average = statistics.mean(my_list)
my_set = {1, 2, 3, 4}
set_average = statistics.mean(my_set)
print("The List Average is {}".format(list_average))
print("The Set Average is {}".format(set_average))
which prints
The List Average is 2.5
The Set Average is 2.5
2. Numpy Average of Array – Matrix
In case you need to find the average (mean) for the columns or rows of a matrix, you can use numpy.
import numpy
# create matrix
my_matrix = [[1, 2, 3, 4], [1, 1, 1, 1]]
# axis=1 will find the average for the rows
matrix_rows_average = numpy.mean(my_matrix, axis=1)
# axis=0 will find the average for the columns
matrix_columns_average = numpy.mean(my_matrix, axis=0)
print("The Matrix rows Averages are {}".format(matrix_rows_average))
print("The Matrix Columns Averages are {}".format(matrix_columns_average))
which prints
The Matrix rows Averages are [2.5 1. ]
The Matrix Columns Averages are [1. 1.5 2. 2.5]
More Resources
Here are three of my favorite Python Books in case you want to learn more about it.
- Python Cookbook, Third Edition by David Beazley and Brian K. Jones
- Learning Python, 5th Edition Fifth Edition by Mark Lutz
- Python Pocket Reference: Python In Your Pocket by Mark Lutz