>> I would suggest the following process: >> >> 1. add a huge constant to each number before averaging >> 2. calculate the average >> 3. subtract the said constant from the result >> >> Actually the user moves the point in a secure distance from the origo. > > But that does not help: when avaraging months the average of november > (11) and january (1) will still end up as june (6), the correct answer > would be december. While it has already been pointed out that the method of adding doesn't add much to a solution for cyclic problems, there isn't really anything like an average between November and January, I guess... There might be one between November 2003 and January 2004, though, which is different from the one between November 2003 and January 2003. By adding the year in this case, you get back to simple linear averages. Gerhard _______________________________________________ http://www.piclist.com View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist