To determine the average percentage of people who considered themselves independents during the first six months of 2013, follow these steps:
1. Extract the percentage values for each month:
- January: 38%
- February: 38%
- March: 36%
- April: 40%
- May: 39%
- June: 41%
2. Sum the percentages:
[tex]\[
38 + 38 + 36 + 40 + 39 + 41 = 232
\][/tex]
3. Count the number of months:
[tex]\[
\text{Number of months} = 6
\][/tex]
4. Calculate the average percentage:
[tex]\[
\text{Average percentage} = \frac{\text{Sum of percentages}}{\text{Number of months}} = \frac{232}{6} \approx 38.666666666666664
\][/tex]
5. Round the average to the nearest percentage:
[tex]\[
38.666666666666664 \approx 39
\][/tex]
Therefore, the average percentage of people who considered themselves independents during the first six months of 2013 is 39%.