# Sample mean of categories

I have a sample of 73 students who have picked these bottles as their preferred choice. Table of sample

Is there a way of taking the sample mean based on this data alone? I understand how to use the equation $$\bar{X}$$ in most cases but i can't see how i can use it on this type of data.

• Why do you want the average? The mode is suitable for categorical data in general and particularly fine in your case. – Lee David Chung Lin Apr 4 at 22:21
• Its a part of my school project, the project asks for us to calculate the sample mean, sample median, sample variance, sample standard deviation. So would the Mode be equivalent to taking the sample mean? – user8774040 Apr 4 at 22:25
• No, they are not equivalent (or even analogous) in this way. There's likely an oversight on your instructors' part and my advice is go talk to them. – Lee David Chung Lin Apr 4 at 22:33
• ok, thank you for your help. – user8774040 Apr 4 at 22:40
• The sample mean of what quantity? – Ben Apr 5 at 7:15