If you use the absolute value of -3.3% then you are essentially implying a
growth rate of POSITIVE 3.3%. If that's your intent, then use the absolute
value. Else, use the relative values shown.

I'm not sure why you would want to use absolute values for a weighted
average when some of your data shows negative growth rates. Also, as for the
issue of weighting rates--typically, average rates are calculated with the
harmonic mean, not the arithmetic mean:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_mean

Dave



Dave
--
Brevity is the soul of wit.


" wrote:

I have the following numbers and corresponding growth rates:

A B
1 4197 7.90%
2 4114 8.30%
3 1885 0.50%
4 624 10.50%
5 1051 -3.30%
6 216 16.20%

My problem is the negative growth rate of -3.30% - I want to calculate
the weighted average growth rate and get the following results for the
respective formulas:

=SUMPRODUCT(A1:A6,B1:B6)/SUM(A1:A6) = 6.2%

=SUMPRODUCT(A1:A6,ABS(B1:B6))/SUM(A1:A6) = 6.8%


Do I need the ABS() function or not? Which would be the correct result?


Thanks!
JK