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Average

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:53 pm
by Slava
Well, I suspect we all know this word in its current usage, but do many of us know that it does not directly relate to mathematics, but to shipping?

Originally, average was a standard charge applied to damages incurred in shipping. The -age suffix is quite widely used, as in tonnage, pilotage, etc. It has, however, been hijacked by math. The average expectation of loss during shipping has become the average we now all know and love.

Re: Average

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:57 am
by Philip Hudson
Averages come in at least three favors. The vanilla flavor is the mean. Then there is the medium and the mode. The mathematical mode is different from Pie à la Mode, but not as satisfying.

Re: Average

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 3:17 pm
by Perry Lassiter
Philip, that's just mean!