What is Average: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In colloquial language, an average is a single number taken as representative of a non-empty list of numbers. Different concepts of average are used in different contexts. Often "average" refers to the arithmetic mean, the sum of the numbers divided by how many numbers are being averaged. In statistics, mean, median, and mode are all known as measures of central tendency, and in colloquial usage any of these might be called an average value.

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  1. benorin

    I Calculating Average Value of Damage w/ 30% Crit Chance

    How do I calculate the average value of some damage values where there is say a 30% chance of critical hit and on a crit 150% damage is done? I run into this problem often, if I had to guess I'd say it's likely related to the binomial distribution because there's either a crit or not, fixed...
  2. R

    MHB Compute the grade point average (GPA)

    a student earned grades of A, C, A, A, and B. Those courses had these corresponding numbers. of credit hours:1,6,3,1,3. The grading system assigns quality points to letter grades as follows: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. Compute the grade point average (GPA) and round the result to two decimal places
  3. A

    Rotational Motion: Average angular acceleration of a CD

    Homework Statement "A compact disc (CD) stores music in a coded pattern of tiny pits 10−7m deep. The pits are arranged in a track that spirals outward toward the rim of the disc; the inner and outer radii of this spiral are 25.0 mm and 58.0 mm, respectively. As the disc spins inside a CD...
  4. YMMMA

    Calculate the average speed

    Homework Statement In the file below. Homework Equations Speed= total distance over total time. Acceleration = change of speed over time The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I tought it is just E because of the first rule above. But then I doubt my answer since it moved with constant acceleration...
  5. B

    MHB Probability Density Function of Average Value of Log-Normal Trials

    X is a random variable that follows the Log-Normal probability density function. n indipendent trials are carried out. We want to know the probability density function of the random variable Y, that is defined as the average value of the “n” outcomes of the trials described above.
  6. N

    Average of x^2 is= 1.67"Calculating Mean & STDev of # of Quarters

    Homework Statement Mind mean and STDev of number of quarters someone has on them at one time 0 - 87% 1 - 8% 2 - 3% 3- 1% 4 - 1% The first time I did this I assumed a population but she said that was wrong and not what she was looking for. Here was my new attempt: x^2f(x)= 0(.87) 1(.08) 4(.03)...
  7. opus

    Trying to get an average speed of 60 MPH

    Homework Statement I haven't taken a physics course yet, this is for independent study, so I don't have the strongest understanding quite yet. I was wondering if I could get some insight to this problem: Susie has planned a trip to a city 60 miles away. She wishes to have an average speed of...
  8. S

    CMB Photon Energy: Average for T=2.73K

    Homework Statement What is the average energy of the CMB photons, in electronvolts, for ##T=2.73K##? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I used the grand canonical ensemble for photons and after several calculations I get $$<E>=\frac{8\pi V}{c^3}\int_0^\infty \frac{h\nu^3}{e^{\beta h...
  9. Z

    MHB How To Use A Weighted Average to Calculate an Unknown Total

    How can I use a weighted average of an incomplete set of numbers to determine the total number of offices for 10 multinational companies? Here's my problem. There are 10 multinational companies with large, medium, and small branches worldwide. I have the number of offices for the large, medium...
  10. B

    Average number of photons in a atom at a given temprature

    Can anny body tell me how do I find the average number of photons in an atom at a given temprature for say lead.
  11. Spinnor

    I Random set of N points in a unit disc, what is the average nearest distance

    Pick a random set of N points from the unit disc. Calculate the distance between all pairs of points and call the smallest value r. Do this calculation for many such sets. Please give me a hint how to estimate what the average value of r is. I guess a computer program could quickly come up with...
  12. P

    Deriving the Equation for Average Water Mass Flow Rate in Water Rocket Launches

    Hey, I'm a student who has to complete a written assignment for physics. I chose to launch water rockets and investigate the effect of volume on the range. I am trying to also come up with a mathematical model however I am struggling to understand an equation I found the following equation to...
  13. Mary27

    Runner's Average Velocity: 0.014 m/s

    Homework Statement A runner moves with a velocity of 4.0 m/s due east for 5.0 minutes. The runner then rests for 30 seconds, turns around and heads due west with a velocity of 5.0 m/s for 5 minutes. What is the runner's average velocity for the entire journey from start to finish? Homework...
  14. S

    Average Vector Acceleration Along a Curve and a Straight Section

    Homework Statement f f Homework Equations ##a = {v^2}{r}## ##d = vt## The Attempt at a Solution The way I do it is break it down into the curved and straight segment. The bicycle is always traveling at a constant speed. Curved portion: distance ##\frac{\pi R^2}{4}## acceleration ##=...
  15. R

    I Efficiency prediction (minimum versus average)

    I am trying to determine the efficiency of a light source for treating plants. When using the light source, there is an equal probability of encountering two different plant species. The light source has a certain electro-optical efficiency ##\eta_{\text{eo}}##. And each plant type has a...
  16. ohwilleke

    B How many gluons on average are there in a proton at once?

    A proton is made of quarks and gluons bound by the strong force in a confined system. Further, all protons are basically interchangeable parts for the purposes of this question. Each one is identical in all material respects. Scientists know a lot about gluon energy density in protons. We have...
  17. NariCH

    Programs Average grades in undergraduate but considering Masters degree

    My grades first and second year were good but third year due to some circumstances my grades dropped to just above average in most courses..I want to do apply for graduate studies but I'm not sure how competent and ready I am or if I ever will be accepted. My question is what should I expect...
  18. I

    Why total time taken s₁/v₁ + s₂/v₂ + s₃/v₃ in average speed?

    Homework Statement As we know the Average speed = Total distance / Total time but why in the case below Distance traveled = s₁ + s₂ + s₃ and total time taken = s₁/v₁ + s₂/v₂ + s₃/v₃ How is it possible? so, altogether Vav = s₁ + s₂ + s₃ / ( s₁/v₁ + s₂/v₂ + s₃/v₃)Homework EquationsThe Attempt...
  19. R

    Average number of memory accesses?

    Homework Statement The Unsorted-Optimized array structure is used to store a data set. Calculate its density if: Each of the client's nodes contains 200 bytes of information and there are 1,000,000 nodes in the data set. (This was the previous problem, the problem I'm doing is based on it...
  20. Muthumanimaran

    B Time average value of Spin operator

    From the book Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths,. In the section 6.4.1 (weak field zeeman effect) Griffiths tells that the time average value of S operator is just the projection of S onto J while finding the expectation value of J+S $$S_{avg}=\frac{(S.J)J}{J^2}$$ How to prove this?
  21. S

    Getting the average of several typhoon trajectories

    Hi I am curious to know if there are methods of getting the average of several typhoon trajectories, with the average trajectory represented as straight red lines (for simplicity) as shown in the image. I am assuming that this average wouldn't be a straight line but be represented as a range...
  22. navneet9431

    Condition for Instantaneous Acceleration = Average Acceleration

    Homework Statement [/B] Look at this graph.Is Instantaneous Acceleration=Average Acceleration here? Please explain your solution. What should be done to check whether Average Acceleration=Instantaneous Acceleration? Homework Equations Average Acceleration motion equations The Attempt at a...
  23. I

    How to get average velocity: Vaverage = V1 + V2 / 2?

    Homework Statement How to get Vaverage ( V ) = V1 + V2 / 2? Homework Equations How to get Vaverage ( V ) = V1 + V2 / 2? The Attempt at a Solution As I know Vaverage ( V ) = X2-X1 / t2-t1 = (delta)X / (delta) t
  24. GhostLoveScore

    Calculating average daily temperature

    I have a automated weather station and I'm collecting data from it. And I was wondering about something. I calculate average daily temperature like this: (T07+T14+2*T21)/4 . During the summer I am calculating it like this (T08+T15+2*T22 )/4 . That's taking into consideration daylight saving time...
  25. I

    How to calculate the average velocity?

    Homework Statement The position of an object moving along the x-axis is given by x=a+bt^2, where a=8.5m,b=2.5 ms^-2, and t is measured in seconds. what is the average velocity between t=2.0 s and t= 4.0 s Homework Equations as we know, Vavg = xf-xi / tf-ti (f= final position and time and i=...
  26. S

    How do you find the uncertainty of an average?

    Homework Statement I used a spectrometer in class and obtained 6 angles in which and found the angles. I needed to find the average of the angles and account for the uncertainties here is what I did: Center (A): 179.58°±.26 Center (B): 359.35°±.26 Purple(RA): 194.95°±.66 Purple...
  27. steven george

    Average velocity of gas molecules in a container

    Homework Statement An ideal gas with molecules of mass m is contained in a cube with sides of area A. The pressure exerted by the gas on the top of the cube is P, and N molecules hit the top of the cube in a time Δt. What is the average vertical component of the velocity of the gas...
  28. A

    Time Uncertainty Propagation - Stoke's Law & Average Time

    Homework Statement [/B] So basically I am calculating the terminal velocity for a small sphere falling in a measuring cylinder filled with glycerine. The distance traveled is 20 cm (0.20 m), and I have conducted 3 trials for each temperature. I have measured the displacement of the ball using...
  29. Doctor_G

    I Propagation of Error when Taking the Average of Averages

    This is an issue I've seen asked and answered before on this forum some years ago. However, the answer doesn't quite make sense to me, so I want to see if I can get either a more satisfactory answer or a better explanation of the original. Suppose that I have some cells that produce a...
  30. AryaKimiaghalam

    Schools Do Harvard and MIT students have a 145 IQ average?

    Hi, I've heard that Harvard and MIT students have an average IQ of 145. It looks very odd to me because I think it's ridiculously high. In my University the average is said to be around 123. Does anybody have any recourses about this topic? I'm trying to decide whether to have MIT as a goal, or...
  31. M

    Average Momentum: 1552.795 kg m/s

    Homework Statement m = 50kg Distance covered = 100m T = 3.22 Solve for average momentum. Homework Equations X = 1/2 at^2 p = mass*acc*change time The Attempt at a Solution 100 = 1/2 a (3.22)^2 a = 200/10.3684 = 19.28937m/s^2 f = 50 * 19.28937 = 964.4689 change momentum = 964.4689 * 3.22 =...
  32. SchroedingersLion

    Other Average Age for PhD Graduates in Maths/Physics

    Hey guys, does anyone have more or less current statistics for the average PhD graduation age in maths or physics? I wonder wether graduation at age 32 is still unproblematic, for jobs out of academia. Suppose I lost a few years for internships or stays abroad.
  33. A

    Average power dissipation for induced current

    Homework Statement A wire shaped as a semi-circle of radius a rotates about the axis OO’ with a constant angular velocity ω in a uniform magnetic field with induction B (attached figure). The plane of the rectangular loop is perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The total resistance of...
  34. J

    Magnitude of the average force during a collision

    Homework Statement A 0.170-kg baseball pitched horizontally at 36.0 m/s strikes a bat and is popped straight up to a height of 36.0 m. If the contact time between bat and ball is 2.0 ms, calculate the magnitude of the average force between the ball and bat during contact. ##m_b=0.17kg##...
  35. P

    What is the average speed for the entire duration? Trick?

    Homework Statement A motorcycle goes up a hill at a constant speed of 10 miles per hour and comes down at the speed of 25 miles per hour what is the average speed for the entire duration? Homework Equations Vavg =(vf-vi)÷2 The Attempt at a Solution It seems very straightforward that this...
  36. Liam C

    Average Force Question Given Velocities [High School]

    Homework Statement Nikhil is probably eating his daily snack at this time. Old Man Miller comes back from the store and takes the 0.150kg sandwich from Nikhil as he begins to run away. Nikhil is running at 7.5m/s away from me when I hit him in the head with the sandwich that was moving at...
  37. Manolisjam

    Prove the average external force is Zero

    1.Problem statement Prove the average external force of a system of particles N starting from rest and ending at rest is zero.Homework Equations If the system moves periodically prove the av. external force is zero in a period The Attempt at a Solution I don't quite understand what i am asked...
  38. H

    MHB Average Revenue Per Group

    Hi, I'm currently stuck on a homework question and I was hoping if I could get some help. Group A has 50% chance of ordering french fries (price: 5),40%chanceoforderingmilkshake(price:6), and 10% chance of ordering a burger (price: 7).GroupBhas30%chanceoforderingfrenchfries(price:5), 30% of...
  39. Skrphys

    Power Equation: Instantaneous vs Average Velocity

    How does this version of the power equation relate to physical situations? Does the value you get give you an instantaneous power? Or is the velocity to be taken as the average velocity (an actual displacement over time)?
  40. L

    Studying Class average for my physics mid-term was 8/30, Seriously

    Hi guys. I would like to ask for a very general piece of advice. Last semester I had my first introduction course, mechanics. The course was extremely hard, but I managed to get an A. I was one of only 4 students in a class of 108 who got A. I'm not sure how I did it considering that I came...
  41. J

    RMS or Average Current Homework - Tips & Tricks

    Homework Statement [/B]Homework Equations I calculated for RMS current. The Attempt at a Solution How to know whether they've asked RMS or Average current? Isn't Output always RMS? Average value is of no use anyways.
  42. S

    Basic average acceleration confusion

    Hi there, I'm struggling to distinguish why the following two equations are giving distinct answers, when the question explicitly states either could be used: v=u+at v^2=u^2+ad when v=12 m/s u=0 m/s a (average acceleration)= the unknown variable d=24 m t=4s Theoretically, the two should...
  43. D

    Finding the Average Value of a Function

    https://imgur.com/a/Maq1N 1. Homework Statement Attached above is the problem statement. Essentially, they've given two different volumes involving some unknown function f(x) and ask that you find its average value over the given closed interval. Homework Equations Relevant equations include...
  44. mark!

    The average Asian aging process

    You might have seen this cartoon on the web. Is this just for laughs, or is there actually some truth to it? After a bit of research I've found out that Asian women, particularly Japanese and Chinese, indeed tend to reach menopause at a later age. Moreover, western women show more...
  45. A

    Uses of the average velocity/speed

    Hi, I was wondering if there is any use for the average velocity or average speed. I've seen them used as an intermediary step in textbooks to derive the instant velocity or instant speed. Other than that, I've never ever seen them used, and searching online just returns definitions and...
  46. BiGyElLoWhAt

    I Average profits and losses on a roulette table

    Recently, youtube suggested a video to me on roulette betting theory. The essence of the idea: Start with a small bet. If you win, bet the same, if you lose, double up. If you lose a second time, double again (or bet the sum of your previous bets) until you win. Start over at the small bet. The...
  47. J

    Average current in single phase bridge converter SCR

    << Mentor Note -- thread moved from the technical forums, so no Homework Template is shown >> I'm studying controlled rectifiers and for full wave bridge rectifiers the notes(that I'm studying from says) It says that the average load current is Id / 2 I don't understand how. Why should the 2...
  48. karush

    MHB Eb5 Calculate the average speed in km/h

    $\text{A person jogs eight complete laps around a $400 \, m$ track in a total time of $14.5 \, min$}. \\$ $\textit{a. Calculate the average speed in $km/h$}\\$ \begin{align*}\displaystyle \frac{(8)400 \, m}{14.5 \, min} \left(\frac{km}{1000m} \right) \left(\frac{60 \, min}{h}...
  49. Pushoam

    Average tension force acting on a simple pendulum

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Trying to answer it before solving it, The maximum tension force is mg, so the average has to be less than this. Hence, the option (a) and (c) are not correct. ## T = mg \cos \theta ##, where ## \theta ## is the angle between...
  50. Guilherme Franco

    I Error in the average of same-value measures

    My question is simple, and I'm only asking it because most places talk about more advanced problems than this one: I've measured the radius of a sphere (a very regular one) with a micrometer of 0.01 mm resolution. I took 3 measures (rotating it between each measure), and all of them were...
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