Average vs. Mean: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Average generally refers to the central value of a set of numbers, while mean, a type of average, specifically denotes the sum of numbers divided by their count.
Key Differences
Average is a term used to describe the central or typical value in a set of data, and it can be calculated in various ways including mean, median, and mode. Mean, specifically, is calculated by adding all numbers in a set and dividing by the number of values. Both average and mean are fundamental in statistics, but mean refers to a specific method of calculation.
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Nov 29, 2023
The concept of average is used in everyday language to denote something as typical or normal, not just in numerical contexts. Mean, on the other hand, is a precise mathematical term, referring to a specific type of average used in statistical analysis. Both terms are used to represent data, but average has a broader, more general usage.
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Nov 29, 2023
In statistical analysis, average can refer to any measure of central tendency, including median and mode. Mean specifically refers to the arithmetic average, where all values are summed and divided by the number of values. Each provides a different way to understand the central tendency of data.
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Nov 29, 2023
The term average is often used more loosely in everyday speech to imply 'typical' or 'usual,' beyond just numerical contexts. Mean, in contrast, is used in more technical, mathematical settings to denote an exact method of averaging. Both terms help in understanding and communicating about data, but in different contexts.
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Nov 29, 2023
Average is a broader concept that can also apply to qualitative assessments, like an 'average performance'. Mean is strictly quantitative, referring only to the arithmetic process of averaging numbers. Each term serves a unique function in the realm of data interpretation.
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Nov 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Central or typical value in a set of data
Sum of all values divided by their count
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Usage
Broader, used in general and statistical contexts
Strictly mathematical, used in statistics
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Application
Qualitative and quantitative assessments
Strictly quantitative assessments
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Context
Everyday language and technical analysis
Primarily technical and mathematical
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Average and Mean Definitions
Average
Average can mean the sum of values divided by their count.
The average score of the class was 85.
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Mean
Mean is a measure of central tendency in statistics.
The mean value is often used to summarize a data set.
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Average
In everyday usage, average denotes something as normal or typical.
His performance was average, neither outstanding nor poor.
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Mean
Mean is used in more technical and mathematical contexts.
To calculate the mean, add all the numbers and divide by the count.
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Average
Average also describes a middle or moderate degree in quality.
The movie's plot was just average.
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Mean
To be used to convey; denote
"'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things'" (Lewis Carroll).
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Average
Average can apply to qualitative assessments.
The restaurant's food quality was average.
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Mean
To act as a symbol of; signify or represent
In this poem, the budding flower means youth.
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Mean
To intend to convey or indicate
"No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous" (Henry Adams).
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
To have as a purpose or an intention; intend
I meant to go running this morning, but I overslept.
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Mean
To design, intend, or destine for a certain purpose or end
A building that was meant for storage.
A student who was meant to be a scientist.
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Average
The usual or ordinary kind or quality
Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
(Sports)The ratio of a team's or player's successful performances such as wins, hits, or goals, divided by total opportunities for successful performance, such as games, times at bat, or shots
Finished the season with a .500 average.
A batting average of .274.
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Mean
To have the importance or value of
The opinions of the critics meant nothing to him. She meant so much to me.
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Mean
To have intentions of a specified kind; be disposed
They mean well but lack tact.
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Mean
Lacking in kindness; unkind
The teacher was not being mean in asking you to be quiet.
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Mean
Cruel, spiteful, or malicious
A mean boy who liked to make fun of others.
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Average
(Nautical)Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.
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Average
Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale
A movie of average length.
A player of average ability.
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Average
Usual or ordinary in kind or character
A poll of average people.
Average eyesight.
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Mean
Something having a position, quality, or condition midway between extremes; a medium.
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Mean
A number that typifies a set of numbers, such as a geometric mean or an arithmetic mean.
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Average
To distribute proportionately
Average one's income over four years so as to minimize the tax rate.
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Average
To be or amount to an average
Some sparrows are six inches long, but they average smaller. Our expenses averaged out to 45 dollars per day.
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Average
(mathematics) The arithmetic mean.
2=The average of 10, 20 and 24 is (10 + 20 + 24)/3 = 18.
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Mean
Means (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved.
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Average
(statistics) Any measure of central tendency, especially any mean, the median, or the mode.
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Average
Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss.
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Mean
(transitive) To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.
I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.
I mean to go to Baddeck this summer.
I meant to take the car in for a smog check, but it slipped my mind.
The authors meant a challenge to the status quo.
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Average
(sports) An indication of a player's ability calculated from his scoring record, etc.
Batting average
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Mean
(intransitive) To have as intentions of a given kind.
Don't be angry; she meant well.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
In the corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.
Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.
Man was not meant to question such things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
The service that a tenant owed his lord, to be done by the animals of the tenant, such as the transportation of wheat, turf, etc.
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Mean
(transitive) To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation.[https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/i_mean%20I%20mean]
Your reasoning seems needlessly abstruse, complex, and verbose for me. I mean, could you dumb it down for my sake?
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Average
(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.
The average age of the participants was 18.5.
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Average
Neither very good nor very bad; rated somewhere in the middle of all others in the same category.
I soon found I was only an average chess player.
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Mean
(transitive) To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea).
The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm?
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Average
Typical.
The average family will not need the more expensive features of this product.
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Mean
(transitive) Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.
What does this hieroglyph mean?
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Mean
(transitive) Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude.
I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.
He is a little different, if you know what I mean.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
(transitive) To compute the average of, especially the arithmetic mean.
If you average 10, 20 and 24, you get 18.
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Mean
(transitive) To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says).
Does she really mean what she said to him last night?
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
(transitive) Over a period of time or across members of a population, to have or generate a mean value of.
The daily high temperature last month averaged 15°C.
I averaged 75% in my examinations this year.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(transitive) To cause or produce (a given result); to bring about (a given result).
One faltering step means certain death.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
(transitive) To divide among a number, according to a given proportion.
To average a loss
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(usually with to) To be of some level of importance.
That little dog meant everything to me.
Formality and titles mean nothing in their circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
That service which a tenant owed his lord, to be done by the work beasts of the tenant, as the carriage of wheat, turf, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of a common or low origin, grade, or quality; common; humble.
A man of mean parentage
A mean abode
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Average
A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities; an arithmetical mean. Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.
A mean appearance
A mean dress
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Average
Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base.
A mean motive
It was mean of you to steal that little girl's piggy bank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of little value or worth; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
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Average
Pertaining to an average or mean; medial; containing a mean proportion; of a mean size, quality, ability, etc.; ordinary; usual; as, an average rate of profit; an average amount of rain; the average Englishman; beings of the average stamp.
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Mean
Ungenerous; stingy; tight-fisted.
He's so mean. I've never seen him spend so much as five pounds on presents for his children.
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Average
According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution.
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Average
To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.
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Mean
Intending to cause harm, successfully or otherwise; bearing ill will towards another.
Watch out for her, she's mean. I said good morning to her, and she punched me in the nose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Powerful; fierce; strong.
It must have been a mean typhoon that levelled this town.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(colloquial) Accomplished with great skill; deft; hard to compete with.
Your mother can roll a mean cigarette.
He hits a mean backhand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
To form, or exist in, a mean or medial sum or quantity; to amount to, or to be, on an average; as, the losses of the owners will average twenty five dollars each; these spars average ten feet in length.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
A statistic describing the location of a distribution;
It set the norm for American homes
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Having the mean (see noun below) as its value; average.
The mean family has 2.4 children.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
Amount to or come to an average, without loss or gain;
The number of hours I work per work averages out to 40
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Average
Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;
The average income in New England is below that of the nation
Of average height for his age
The mean annual rainfall
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
Lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered;
Average people
The ordinary (or common) man in the street
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
The middle part of three-part polyphonic music; now specifically, the alto part in polyphonic music; an alto instrument.
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Average
Of no exceptional quality or ability;
A novel of average merit
Only a fair performance of the sonata
In fair health
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
The performance was middling at best
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(statistics) The average of a set of values, calculated by summing them together and dividing by the number of terms; the arithmetic mean.
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Average
Around the middle of a scale of evaluation of physical measures;
An orange of average size
Intermediate capacity
A plane with intermediate range
Medium bombers
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Mean
(mathematics) Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
Relating to or constituting the most frequent value in a distribution;
The modal age at which American novelists reach their peak is 30
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
(mathematics) Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6.
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Average
Relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in an even-numbered set);
The median value of 17, 20, and 36 is 20
The median income for the year was $15,000
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do?
What mean ye by this service ?
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.
I am not a SpaniardTo say that it is yours and not to mean it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Average
Average refers to the typical or central value in a set of numbers.
The average temperature this month has been higher than usual.
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Nov 29, 2023
Mean
To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.
What mean these seven ewe lambs ?
Go ye, and learn what that meaneth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble.
The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove,To save my life by changing of my love ?
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
The Roman legions and great Cæsar foundOur fathers no mean foes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes.
Being of middle age and a mean stature.
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Mean
Intermediate in excellence of any kind.
According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly.
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Mean
Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day.
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Mean
That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure.
But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude.
There is a mean in all things.
The extremes we have mentioned, between which the wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are correlatives.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the nth root of the product of the n quantities being averaged.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.
Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ.
You may be able, by this mean, to review your own scientific acquirements.
Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean.
By this means he had them more at vantage.
What other means is left unto us.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.
Your means are very slender, and your waste is great.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.
The mean is drowned with your unruly base.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
A mediator; a go-between.
He wooeth her by means and by brokage.
If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.
The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so good as that on the other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
An average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Mean or intend to express or convey;
You never understand what I mean!
What do his words intend?
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Have as a logical consequence;
The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Denote or connote;
`maison' means `house' in French
An example sentence would show what this word means
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Have in mind as a purpose;
I mean no harm
I only meant to help you
She didn't think to harm me
We thought to return early that night
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Have a specified degree of importance;
My ex-husband means nothing to me
Happiness means everything
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Intend to refer to;
I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Destine or designate for a certain purpose;
These flowers were meant for you
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;
The average income in New England is below that of the nation
Of average height for his age
The mean annual rainfall
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;
That liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Taking a mean advantage
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Marked by poverty befitting a beggar;
A beggarly existence in the slums
A mean hut
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Used of persons or behavior; characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity;
A mean person
He left a miserly tip
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Oct 19, 2023
Mean
Mean is the sum of a set of numbers divided by the number of numbers.
The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.
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Nov 29, 2023
Mean
Mean refers specifically to the arithmetic average.
The mean annual income of the group was $50,000.
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Mean
Mean is strictly quantitative.
The mean temperature is a good indicator of overall climate trends.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a mean?
Mean is a specific type of average, calculated as the sum of numbers divided by their count.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can average be non-numerical?
Yes, in everyday language, average can describe a typical or usual condition, not just numerical.
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Nov 29, 2023
What is an average?
Average is the central or typical value in a set of data.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are average and mean the same?
Mean is a type of average, but average can also refer to median or mode.
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Nov 29, 2023
How do you calculate the average?
Average can be calculated as the mean, median, or mode, depending on the context.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can average apply to qualitative data?
Yes, in general language, average can apply to qualitative assessments.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is mean only used in mathematics?
Mean is primarily used in mathematical and statistical contexts.
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Nov 29, 2023
Do average and mean always give similar results?
Not always, especially in skewed distributions, the mean and median (another type of average) can differ.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is mean affected by extreme values?
Yes, extreme values can significantly affect the mean.
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Nov 29, 2023
How is mean different from median?
Mean is the sum of values divided by count, while median is the middle value in a sorted list.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can average be misleading?
Yes, especially in datasets with outliers or non-uniform distribution.
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Nov 29, 2023
What is an example of average in daily life?
Describing a person's height as average compared to a population.
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Nov 29, 2023
What does a high average indicate?
A high average indicates that the central or typical value of a dataset is high.
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Nov 29, 2023
How do outliers affect mean?
Outliers can skew the mean, making it higher or lower than the typical values.
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Nov 29, 2023
Why use mean instead of other averages?
Mean is useful for sets of data where every value is relevant and should be considered.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is mean used in economics?
Yes, mean is frequently used in economics to analyze data sets like incomes, costs, etc.
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Nov 29, 2023
What does a low mean indicate?
A low mean indicates that the average value, when calculated as a mean, is low.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can average be zero?
Yes, if the sum of the values is zero or if there are no values.
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Nov 29, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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