The mean of five numbers is 18. On excluding one number, the mean becomes 16. Find the excluded number.

Given:

Number of observations = 5

Mean = 18

⇒ Sum of all 5 observations = 5 x 18 = 90

On excluding an observation, the mean of the remaining 4 observations = 16

∵ Sum of all remaining 4 observations = 4 x 16 = 64

⇒ Excluded observation = Sum of all 5 observations - Sum of all remaining 4 observations

= 90 - 64

= 26

Hence, the excluded number is 26.