mean

[xBCoon]

This is such a natty little word with so many diverse 'mean'ings I would like to see it explored and explained by experts. Thanx!

[Bailey]

Forget it, Dr.Goodword doesn't like short words, sigh.

mark at-least-not-the-ones-I-suggest Bailey

[Stargzer]

In the FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) computer language, variables whose names begin with the letters I, J, K, L, M, and N are integers (whole numbers without decimals (e. g. 1, 2, 3, ...)) by default and all others are real numbers (having a decimal part or an exponent (1.2, 3.05, 2E16 (2[sup]16[/sup]), ... ). Since the word MEAN can also mean (i. e., "is another word for") AVERAGE (the sum of a group of values divided by the number of values) in statistical applications, it's a popular variable name. The trouble is, a variable named MEAN is an integer by default, which causes any decimal part to be truncated (dropped). However, there is a way to override this default setting by telling the compiler to treat a variable that would normally be an integer as a real number. That's why my favorite FORTRAN statement is:

REAL MEAN

[Slava]

I could have sworn that way back when, in grade school, we were taught that these each had different meanings in Math. However, I can't come up with a difference between mean and average. Am I mis-remembering, or is there a difference? Any math wiz out there who'd care to help?

Thanks,

Slava

[gailr]

Here you go, Slava:

Mean, Median, Mode, and Range

[Slava]

Thank you for the tutorial. I'd forgotten completely about the mode and range. I also thought the median was the number at which 50% are above, and 50% below. This tutorial doesn't put it that way. Oh, well, shows what I know, eh?

Slava

[gailr]

It's nothing Slava.

I'm an artist, where mean is part of a pugnacious observer's demand, "Yeah. But what does it mean?" Median refers to your quick estimate of a potential client's income level/purchasing power. Following a mode is adherence to a specific style. Range is the extent of your development of technical skill and creative technique(s). (Or, I suppose, it could be a western-themed landscape.)

-gailr
who abhores the average...

[Stargzer]

It's nothing Slava.

I'm an artist, where mean is part of a pugnacious observer's demand, "Yeah. But what does it mean?" Median refers to your quick estimate of a potential client's income level/purchasing power. Following a mode is adherence to a specific style. Range is the extent of your development of technical skill and creative technique(s). (Or, I suppose, it could be a western-themed landscape.)

-gailr
who abhores the average...

Gail's not just another mean woman ...

[Dr. Goodword]

The problem with mean is not that it is short but that it has so many different meanings, some coming from semantic drift, others from coincidental merging of different words. I would have to focus on one meaning, which would have to be as interesting as the other words in the series.

[Bailey]

but what does it all M-E-A-N?

mark meanie Bailey

[Stargzer]

The problem with mean is not that it is short but that it has so many different meanings, some coming from semantic drift, others from coincidental merging of different words. I would have to focus on one meaning, which would have to be as interesting as the other words in the series.

Maybe you should have a "mean theme" for a week's worth of words, a five-for-the-price-of one special. Monday would be a mean one, Tuesday would be mean, too, ...