Average vs. Normal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Average refers to the arithmetic mean or typical value in a set of numbers, while Normal is about conforming to a standard or what is common and expected.
Key Differences
Average, in a mathematical sense, is the sum of values divided by the number of values, representing a central or typical value in a data set. Normal, on the other hand, refers to what is standard, usual, or expected in a given context, often based on societal or cultural norms.
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When discussing performance or characteristics, average denotes something that is typical or median, neither exceptional nor poor. Normal, in this context, implies conformity to what is generally observed or recognized as a standard, without necessarily implying statistical average.
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In statistics, average is a specific measure used to summarize data, like mean, median, or mode. Normal, however, can refer to a distribution of data that follows a well-defined bell-shaped curve, known as a normal distribution, indicating a standard pattern of variation.
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In everyday language, average is often used to describe something that is not extraordinary, but rather common or expected. Normal, conversely, is used to describe conditions, behaviors, or outcomes that align with what is typically observed or considered acceptable in a social context.
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In the context of physical measurements, the average might refer to the average height or weight of a group, calculated numerically. Normal, in a similar context, might refer to what is generally considered healthy or typical for a certain age or gender group, not necessarily tied to a mathematical average.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The sum of values divided by their number
Conforming to a standard or what is commonly seen
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In Statistics
A measure of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
A type of distribution (normal distribution)
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Usage
Describes typical or median value
Describes standard or expected conditions
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In Everyday Language
Common, ordinary in terms of quantity or quality
Usual, conforming to social expectations
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Average and Normal Definitions
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Normal
Culturally accepted or expected
In her culture, it's normal to have large family gatherings.
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Normal
Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical
Normal room temperature.
One's normal weight.
Normal diplomatic relations.
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Normal
(Biology) Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies.
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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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Normal
Abbr. n Designating an aliphatic hydrocarbon having an acyclic unbranched chain of carbon atoms.
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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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Normal
Perpendicular to the direction of a tangent line to a curve or a tangent plane to a surface.
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Normal
Relating to or characterized by average intelligence or development.
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Normal
The usual, expected, or standard state, form, amount, or degree
Temperatures have been above normal for this time of year.
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Average
(Nautical)Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.
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Normal
(Mathematics) A perpendicular, especially a perpendicular to a line tangent to a plane curve or to a plane tangent to a space curve.
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Normal
According to norms or rules or to a regular pattern.
Organize the data into third normal form.
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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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Normal
(mathematics) Adhering to or being what is considered natural or regular in a particular field or context:
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Average
Usual or ordinary in kind or character
A poll of average people.
Average eyesight.
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Normal
Usual, healthy; not sick or ill or unlike oneself.
John is feeling normal again.
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Normal
Teaching teachers how to teach to certain norms
My grandmother attended Mankato State Normal School.
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Normal
(chemistry) Of, relating to, or being a solution containing one equivalent weight of solute per litre of solution.
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Normal
(organic chemistry) Describing a straight chain isomer of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic compound in which a substituent is in the 1- position of such a hydrocarbon.
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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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Normal
In which all parts of an object vibrate at the same frequency normal mode]].
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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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Normal
(geometry) Perpendicular to a tangent of a curve or derivative of a surface.
The interior normal vector of an ideal perfect sphere will always point toward the center, and the exterior normal vector directly away, and both will always be co-linear with the ray whose' tip ends at the point of intersection, which is the intersection of all three sets of points.
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Average
(statistics) Any measure of central tendency, especially any mean, the median, or the mode.
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Normal
(geometry) A line or vector that is perpendicular to another line, surface, or plane.
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Average
Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss.
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Normal
A person who is normal, who fits into mainstream society, as opposed to those who live alternative lifestyles.
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Normal
The usual state.
His workload is now back to normal.
Heavy workload is the new normal.
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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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Normal
According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.
Deviations from the normal type.
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Average
In the corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
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Normal
According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle; as, a line normal to the base. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.
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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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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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Normal
A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that point.
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Average
Typical.
The average family will not need the more expensive features of this product.
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Normal
Something regarded as a normative example;
The convention of not naming the main character
Violence is the rule not the exception
His formula for impressing visitors
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Normal
Conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal;
Serve wine at normal room temperature
Normal diplomatic relations
Normal working hours
Normal word order
Normal curiosity
The normal course of events
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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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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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Normal
Being approximately average or within certain limits in e.g. intelligence and development;
A perfectly normal child
Of normal intelligence
The most normal person I've ever met
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Average
(transitive) To divide among a number, according to a given proportion.
To average a loss
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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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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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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
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
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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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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Average
To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
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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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Average
A statistic describing the location of a distribution;
It set the norm for American homes
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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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Average
Lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered;
Average people
The ordinary (or common) man in the street
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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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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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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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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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Average
Typically found or expected
His performance was average for his age group.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does average mean in math?
It's the mean value obtained by dividing the sum of all values by their number.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can average refer to quality?
Yes, describing something as neither poor nor excellent.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are average and normal the same in statistics?
No, average is a measure, while normal describes a type of distribution.
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How is normal used in statistics?
It refers to a distribution that follows a regular, bell-shaped curve.
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What does normal mean in everyday language?
It describes what is typical or expected in a given context.
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Does normal imply healthiness?
In medical terms, it often denotes a healthy or expected condition.
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Can a person be considered normal?
Yes, when they conform to standard or typical behaviors.
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Is normal culturally dependent?
Yes, what is normal can vary based on cultural norms.
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Is normal behavior always correct?
Not necessarily; it's just what's commonly accepted.
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Does normal mean majority?
Often, but not always; it's more about what's standard or expected.
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Can businesses use average for planning?
Yes, like using average sales to forecast future performance.
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Can average income be misleading?
Yes, especially if there's a wide income disparity.
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Is average always a number?
In mathematics, yes; in general usage, it can be qualitative.
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Can average be used in sports?
Yes, to describe a player's typical performance level.
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Can normal change over time?
Yes, as societal or cultural standards evolve.
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Is an average grade always a C?
Not necessarily; it depends on the overall distribution of grades.
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Can normal be subjective?
Yes, what's considered normal can vary between individuals.
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Are average temperatures important in climate studies?
Yes, they help assess climate trends.
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Does normal vary in different fields?
Yes, it can have different meanings in different contexts.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
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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