MetaStock Moving AverageThe moving average is probably the most commonly used of all indicators in a MetaStock System. It comes in various types and has numerous applications. In basic terms though, a moving average helps to smooth out fluctuations in price (or an indicator) and provide a more accurate reflection of the direction that the security is moving. Moving averages are lagging indicators and fit into the trend following category. The various types include simple, weighted, exponential, variable, and triangular.Calculating the MetaStock DataThe difference between the various types of moving averages is simply the way in which the averages are calculated. For example, a simple moving average places equal weighting on each value in the period; weighted and exponential place more emphasis on recent values in the period; a triangular moving average places greater emphasis on the middle section of the time period; and a variable moving average adjusts the weighting depending on the volatility in the period.Let’s focus on the simple moving average, which is formed by finding the average price of a security over a set number of periods. This is calculated by adding up the closing prices of the security over the set number of periods (eg. 15) and dividing this summed answer by the number of periods.With regards to the other types of moving averages, their calculations can be a little more complex; however the premise is still the same. The only difference being where and how the relevant weightings are placed.SYNTAX Mov(Data Array, Periods, E S T TRI VAR W VOL)Data Array _ This is the data array that will be averaged to form the moving average indicator. This is most often the closing price, but can be any other price data or indicator.Periods _ This specifies how many periods are used to calculate the moving average.E S T TRI VAR W VOL _ This is the type of moving average that is to be used, shown as follows:E _ Exponential S _ Simple T _ Time SeriesTri _ Triangular Var _ Variable W _ Weig...