Statistics
Harmonic mean of two values
The two value shortcut, identical in shape to two parallel resistors.
The Formula
H = 2 x a x b / (a + b)
The two value shortcut, identical in shape to two parallel resistors.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| H | Harmonic mean | same as input | The average of the two values. |
| a | First value | same as input | The first positive number. |
| b | Second value | same as input | The second positive number. |
What Each Symbol Means
Hsame as input
Harmonic mean
The average of the two values.
asame as input
First value
The first positive number.
bsame as input
Second value
The second positive number.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate a harmonic mean page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate A Harmonic Mean, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.