Which average is most suitable for determining the average growth rate of a company over several years?Arithmetic meanGeometric meanHarmonic meanMedian

The most suitable average for determining the average growth rate of a company over several years is the Geometric mean.

Here's why:

1. The geometric mean is most appropriate for series that exhibit serial correlation. This is often the case with financial and economic data, where this year's performance is not independent of last year's.

2. When dealing with rates of change, we often multiply factors, not add them. The geometric mean is more suitable for factors that are multiplied.

3. The geometric mean is always less than or equal to the arithmetic mean (when dealing with positive numbers), and thus provides a more conservative estimate. This can be useful in financial and economic analysis.

4. The geometric mean is the only correct mean when averaging normalized results; that is, results that are presented as ratios to reference values.

So, in the context of determining the average growth rate of a company over several years, the geometric mean would be the most suitable choice.