In data analysis, an aggregate value is typically the

• A. a total sum
• B. a single observation
• C. a sample
• D. an outlier

Answer: (A)

An aggregate value is a single number that summarizes a collection of data by combining its values. The most common kind is produced by adding up all the values, giving a total sum that represents the whole set. This is why the total sum best fits the idea of an aggregate value: it condenses multiple observations into one figure. A single observation is just one data point, not a summary. A sample is a subset of data, not the result of summarizing the entire data set. An outlier is a data point that stands apart, not a summary statistic.