Aggregate vs. Average — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Aggregate" refers to the total sum or combination of individual elements. "Average" is the value obtained by dividing the sum of a set of quantities by the number of quantities.
Difference Between Aggregate and Average
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Key Differences
"Aggregate" and "average" are both mathematical and statistical terms, but they represent different concepts. An aggregate relates to the combination or sum of multiple individual parts or elements. For instance, when considering the aggregate income of a group of people, one would sum all their individual incomes. Conversely, "average" is a measure that provides a single value representing the middle or typical value of a set of data.
In business, the term "aggregate" is commonly used when considering the total production, consumption, or other cumulative metrics. For instance, a company might look at the aggregate sales over a year to measure its overall performance. The "average," on the other hand, might be used to understand the typical or average sales per month. This would involve taking the total sales (the aggregate) and dividing it by the number of months.
In the realm of statistics, "average" usually refers to the mean, though it can also encompass the median and mode. It's a way to understand the central tendency or typical value in a dataset. The aggregate, in statistics, would refer to the collected data as a whole, without making any divisions or calculations to find a central value.
In everyday language, "average" is commonly used to describe something that is common or typical. For instance, one might refer to an "average day." "Aggregate," in contrast, is less commonly used in everyday conversation but might appear in contexts where the emphasis is on a collective or total amount. Both terms, while related to cumulative data, offer different perspectives on understanding data sets.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Total sum or combination
Value representing the central tendency
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Mathematical Operation
Summation
Division
Usage in Statistics
Refers to the total data
Refers to the mean, can also include median or mode
Common Language Application
Emphasizes total amount
Describes something typical or common
Grammatical Form
Can be noun or adjective
Typically a noun or adjective
Compare with Definitions
Aggregate
Aggregate is often used in business to describe total metrics.
The aggregate revenue for the quarter exceeded expectations.
Average
Average represents a value found by dividing the sum of a set by its count.
The average score of the students was 85.
Aggregate
Aggregate can serve as both a noun and an adjective.
The aggregate amount was higher than anticipated.
Average
In sports, average can refer to a player's performance metric.
The player had a batting average of .300.
Aggregate
A whole formed by combining several separate elements
The council was an aggregate of three regional assemblies
Average
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.
Aggregate
A material or structure formed from a mass of fragments or particles loosely compacted together
The specimen is an aggregate of rock and mineral fragments
Average
A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number
The proportion of over-60s is above the EU average of 19 per cent
Aggregate
Formed or calculated by the combination of several separate elements; total
The aggregate amount of grants made
Average
The apportionment of financial liability resulting from loss of or damage to a ship or its cargo.
Aggregate
Form or group into a class or cluster
Socio-occupational groups aggregate men sharing similar kinds of occupation
The butterflies aggregate in dense groups
Average
Constituting the result obtained by adding together several amounts and then dividing this total by the number of amounts
The average temperature in May was 4°C below normal
Aggregate
Constituting or amounting to a whole; total
Aggregate sales in that market.
Average
Amount to or achieve as an average rate or amount over a period of time; mean
Annual inflation averaged 2.4 per cent
Aggregate
(Botany) Crowded or massed into a dense cluster.
Average
A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function.
Aggregate
Composed of a mixture of minerals separable by mechanical means.
Average
See arithmetic mean.
Aggregate
A total considered with reference to its constituent parts; a gross amount
"An empire is the aggregate of many states under one common head" (Edmund Burke).
Average
An intermediate level or degree
Near the average in size.
Aggregate
The mineral materials, such as sand or stone, used in making concrete.
Average
The usual or ordinary kind or quality
Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.
Aggregate
To gather into a mass, sum, or whole
Aggregated the donations into one bank account.
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.
Aggregate
To amount to; total
Revenues will aggregate more than one million dollars.
Average
The loss of a ship or cargo, caused by damage at sea.
Aggregate
To collect (content from different sources on the internet) into one webpage or newsreader.
Average
The incurrence of damage or loss of a ship or cargo at sea.
Aggregate
To come together or collect in a mass or whole
"Some [bacteria]aggregate so closely as to mimic a multicellular organism" (Gina Kolata). "The first stars began to form when hydrogen and helium gas left over from the Big Bang aggregated into dense clouds" (Paul Davies).
Average
The equitable distribution of such a loss among concerned parties.
Aggregate
A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; something consisting of elements but considered as a whole.
Average
A charge incurred through such a loss.
Aggregate
A mass formed by the union of homogeneous particles; – in distinction from a compound, formed by the union of heterogeneous particles.
Average
(Nautical)Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.
Aggregate
A set collection of objects.
Average
(Mathematics)Of, relating to, or constituting an average.
Aggregate
(music) The full chromatic scale of twelve equal tempered pitches.
Average
Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale
A movie of average length.
A player of average ability.
Aggregate
(sports) The total score in a set of games between teams or competitors, usually the combination of the home and away scores.
Average
Usual or ordinary in kind or character
A poll of average people.
Average eyesight.
Aggregate
(roofing) Crushed stone, crushed slag or water-worn gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof system.
Average
Assessed in accordance with the law of averages.
Aggregate
Solid particles of low aspect ratio added to a composite material, as distinguished from the matrix and any fibers or reinforcements; especially the gravel and sand added to concrete.
Average
(Mathematics)To calculate the average of
Average a set of numbers.
Aggregate
(Buddhism) Any of the five attributes that constitute the sentient being.
Average
To do or have an average of
Averaged three hours of work a day.
Aggregate
A mechanical mixture of more than one phase.
Average
To distribute proportionately
Average one's income over four years so as to minimize the tax rate.
Aggregate
Formed by a collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum; collective; combined; added up.
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.
Aggregate
Consisting or formed of smaller objects or parts.
Average
(mathematics) The arithmetic mean.
2=The average of 10, 20 and 24 is (10 + 20 + 24)/3 = 18.
Aggregate
Formed into clusters or groups of lobules.
Aggregate glands
Average
(statistics) Any measure of central tendency, especially any mean, the median, or the mode.
Aggregate
(botany) Composed of several florets within a common involucre, as in the daisy; or of several carpels formed from one flower, as in the raspberry.
Average
Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss.
Aggregate
Having the several component parts adherent to each other only to such a degree as to be separable by mechanical means.
Average
Customs duty or similar charge payable on transported goods.
Aggregate
United into a common organized mass; said of certain compound animals.
Average
Proportional or equitable distribution of financial expense.
Aggregate
(transitive) To bring together; to collect into a mass or sum.
The aggregated soil.
Average
(sports) An indication of a player's ability calculated from his scoring record, etc.
Batting average
Aggregate
To add or unite (e.g. a person), to an association.
Average
In the corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
Aggregate
(transitive) To amount in the aggregate to.
There are ten loads, aggregating five hundred bushels.
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.
Aggregate
To bring together; to collect into a mass or sum. "The aggregated soil."
Average
(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.
The average age of the participants was 18.5.
Aggregate
To add or unite, as, a person, to an association.
It is many times hard to discern to which of the two sorts, the good or the bad, a man ought to be aggregated.
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.
Aggregate
To amount in the aggregate to; as, ten loads, aggregating five hundred bushels.
Average
Typical.
The average family will not need the more expensive features of this product.
Aggregate
Formed by a collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum; collective.
The aggregate testimony of many hundreds.
Average
(informal) Not outstanding, not good, banal; bad or poor.
Aggregate
Formed into clusters or groups of lobules; as, aggregate glands.
Average
(transitive) To compute the average of, especially the arithmetic mean.
If you average 10, 20 and 24, you get 18.
Aggregate
Composed of several florets within a common involucre, as in the daisy; or of several carpels formed from one flower, as in the raspberry.
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.
Aggregate
Having the several component parts adherent to each other only to such a degree as to be separable by mechanical means.
Average
(transitive) To divide among a number, according to a given proportion.
To average a loss
Aggregate
United into a common organized mass; - said of certain compound animals.
Average
(intransitive) To be, generally or on average.
Aggregate
A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; as, a house is an aggregate of stone, brick, timber, etc.
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.
Aggregate
A mass formed by the union of homogeneous particles; - in distinction from a compound, formed by the union of heterogeneous particles.
Average
A tariff or duty on goods, etc.
Aggregate
A sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
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.
Aggregate
The whole amount
Average
Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc.
Aggregate
Amount in the aggregate to
Average
In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
Aggregate
Gather in a mass, sum, or whole
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.
Aggregate
Gathered or tending to gather into a mass or whole;
Aggregate expenses include expenses of all divisions combined for the entire year
The aggregated amount of indebtedness
Average
According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution.
Aggregate
Formed of separate units in a cluster;
Raspberries are aggregate fruits
Average
To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.
Aggregate
Aggregate is the combined sum of individual parts or elements.
The aggregate score of the team over the season was impressive.
Average
To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
Aggregate
Aggregate can also refer to a whole formed by combining separate elements.
The concert had an aggregate audience of 10,000 over two nights.
Average
To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.
Aggregate
In construction, aggregate refers to a material formed from a loosely compacted mass of fragments or particles.
They used fine aggregate to create the concrete mix.
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.
Average
A statistic describing the location of a distribution;
It set the norm for American homes
Average
Amount to or come to an average, without loss or gain;
The number of hours I work per work averages out to 40
Average
Achieve or reach on average;
He averaged a C
Average
Compute the average of
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
Average
Lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered;
Average people
The ordinary (or common) man in the street
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
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
Average
Relating to or constituting the most frequent value in a distribution;
The modal age at which American novelists reach their peak is 30
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
Average
Average describes something that is typical or ordinary.
It was just an average day, with nothing special happening.
Average
Average can also refer to the mean value of a dataset.
The average temperature in July is hotter than in June.
Average
Average is commonly used in statistics to determine central tendency.
The survey revealed the average age of participants was 29.
Common Curiosities
What does "aggregate" mean in mathematics?
In mathematics, "aggregate" refers to the total sum or combination of individual elements.
How is "average" commonly defined?
Average is typically defined as the sum of a set of quantities divided by the number of quantities.
Is the median the same as the average?
No, the median is the middle value in a dataset, while the average typically refers to the mean.
Can "aggregate" be used as an adjective?
Yes, "aggregate" can serve as both a noun and an adjective.
How do "average" and "mean" differ?
While "average" can be used to refer to several measures of central tendency, it most often refers to the "mean."
In what context is "average" most commonly used?
"Average" is widely used in statistics, business, and everyday language to describe typicality or central values.
What does "average" mean in everyday language?
In everyday language, "average" often describes something that is typical or ordinary.
Can "aggregate" refer to non-mathematical combinations?
Yes, "aggregate" can describe any whole formed by combining separate elements, not just mathematical sums.
How is "aggregate" used in construction?
In construction, "aggregate" refers to a material like sand or gravel used in making concrete.
How is the "average" calculated?
The average is calculated by dividing the sum of a set of values by the number of values.
What does "aggregate" emphasize in data analysis?
"Aggregate" emphasizes the total or cumulative data without splitting or centralizing it.
Is "aggregate" the same as "total"?
Yes, in many contexts, "aggregate" is synonymous with "total."
Does "aggregate" involve any division in calculation?
No, "aggregate" typically involves summation without division.
How does "average" help in understanding datasets?
"Average" provides insight into the central tendency or typical value of a dataset.
Can "aggregate" refer to data collection?
Yes, "aggregate" can refer to data that is collected and presented as a whole.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
