A soil scientist measures microbial activity in five consecutive soil layers. The microbial counts (in thousands per gram) are 18, 23, 19, 27, and 23. She applies a normalization factor equal to the geometric mean of these values to standardize future data. What is the geometric mean, rounded to the nearest tenth?

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:15:11 +0000

**Understanding Soil Microbial Dynamics: The Geometric Mean and Its Role in Science** In a growing conversation across agricultural science and environmental health, researchers are focusing on microscopic life beneath our feet—specifically, microbial activity in soil layers. A soil scientist measures microbial counts across five consecutive layers, recording values of 18, 23, 19, 27, and 23 thousand microbes per gram. These numbers reflect dynamic biological activity, revealing how microorganisms thrive in varying depth zones within topsoil. As interest in sustainable farming and ecosystem balance deepens, understanding how to standardize and interpret such data becomes essential. Central to this process is the geometric mean—a statistical tool increasingly used to normalize microbial counts for reliable comparisons. This article explores what the geometric mean truly is, why it matters to soil analysis, and how it supports consistent, meaningful scientific reporting. --- ### Why Analyzing Soil Microbes Across Layers Matters Now