What does mean in math?
What does mean in math
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛn ɪn mæθ/
Part of Speech
Phrase
Definition
A mathematical notation used to represent the mean or average value of a set of numbers.
Examples
- In statistics, the mean is calculated as the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
- The mean of a dataset is often denoted by the symbol “x̄”.
Synonyms
- Average
- Median
Antonyms
- Mode
- Range
Additional Information
The concept of mean is essential in mathematics and statistics, as it provides a way to summarize and describe the central tendency of a dataset. The mean is sensitive to outliers, and it is often used in conjunction with other measures of central tendency, such as the median and mode, to gain a more complete understanding of a dataset.
In everyday life, the mean is used in various applications, such as calculating grades, salaries, and stock prices. It is also used in scientific research to analyze and interpret data.
Etymology
The term “mean” comes from the Old English word “mænan”, which means “to intend” or “to purpose”. In mathematics, the concept of mean was first developed by ancient Greek mathematicians, such as Aristotelēs and Euclid.
Usage Notes
The mean is often used in statistical analysis to summarize and describe the central tendency of a dataset. It is commonly denoted by the symbol “x̄” and is calculated as the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
Cultural References
The concept of mean has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the movie “Mean Girls” and in the phrase “mean streets”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Meaningful
- Mean-spirited
Related Words or Phrases
- Mode
- Median
- Standard Deviation
Collocations
- Mean and standard deviation
- Mean and median
Frequency of Use
The term “mean” is commonly used in mathematical and statistical contexts, with a frequency of use of around 2.5 per million words.