Formula 1 description

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Mean centre weighted by population

Formula 1 depicts the mathematical methods for calculating the weighted mean centre representative points. One of two pairs of equations is used, depending on the population of the dissemination area. The first pair of equations is used when the dissemination area has a population greater than zero. The second equation is used when the dissemination area has a population equal to zero.

In the first pair of equations, the x-coordinate is calculated by first multiplying the population of each dissemination block in the dissemination area by the x-coordinate (easting) of its representative point. The products are summed over all dissemination blocks in the dissemination area, and the result is then divided by the total population of the dissemination area. The y-coordinate (northing) of the dissemination area is calculated by applying the same methodology, only using the y-coordinate information for the component dissemination blocks.

The second pair of equations is used when the dissemination area has zero population. For this, the x-coordinate (easting) is calculated by summing the x-coordinate of the representative points of all dissemination blocks in the dissemination area. This sum is then divided by the number of dissemination blocks in the dissemination area. The y-coordinate (northing) of the dissemination area is calculated by applying the same methodology, only using the y-coordinate information for the component dissemination blocks.
Examples of calculating the mean centre representative points weighted by population using of the above methods are shown immediately below the formulae.

For more information on this figure, please contact Statistics Canada at 1-800-263-1136.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population.