Average vs. Normal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 16, 2024
Average emphasizes a statistical mean, whereas normal refers to what's typical or expected.
Difference Between Average and Normal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Average typically involves a mathematical calculation to find the mean value of a set of numbers. It's a way to summarize or represent a group of numbers by a single value, often used in statistics and everyday language to describe the 'middle' or central tendency of a data set. Normal, on the other hand, denotes something that conforms to a standard, norm, or expected pattern. In everyday language, it refers to what is typical, usual, or expected in a certain context. In statistics, 'normal' can also relate to the normal distribution, a specific statistical distribution that is symmetric about the mean.
While average is a mathematical concept used to describe the central point of a dataset, normal extends beyond numbers to encompass behaviors, patterns, or conditions that are typical or expected in a particular context.
The interpretation of average can vary depending on the method used (mean, median, or mode), whereas normal is more about aligning with established norms or standards, regardless of the statistical distribution.
In some contexts, an average can be considered normal if it falls within the common range or expectation. However, an average value might not always be seen as normal, especially if the data distribution is skewed or if there are outliers that significantly affect the average.
Normalcy often involves qualitative judgments about what is typical or expected, not just quantitative measures. An average figure, even if mathematically accurate, might not capture the full range of what's considered normal in every context.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The sum of values divided by the number of values.
Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
Context
Primarily mathematical or statistical.
Broad, can be used in various contexts including social norms and statistics.
Usage
To describe central tendency in data.
To describe what is typical or standard.
Statistical Relevance
Specific, refers to mean, median, or mode.
Can refer to the normal distribution, but also to non-statistical norms.
Implication
Objective, based on calculation.
Can be subjective, depending on cultural or societal standards.
Compare with Definitions
Average
In daily language, general.
On average, I read about three books a month.
Normal
Conforming to norm.
It's normal for teenagers to seek independence.
Average
Mean of a dataset.
The average income of the group is $50,000.
Normal
In statistics, a specific distribution.
The data follows a normal distribution.
Average
In sports, performance metric.
His batting average is .300.
Normal
Subject to interpretation.
What's normal for one culture may be unusual for another.
Average
Not necessarily representative.
The average score doesn't reflect the wide range in the class.
Normal
Often implies acceptability.
It's normal to feel nervous before a presentation.
Average
Can be misleading.
The average temperature doesn't show the extreme weather variations.
Normal
Can change over time.
Remote work has become the new normal.
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.
Normal
Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical
Normal room temperature.
One's normal weight.
Normal diplomatic relations.
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
Normal
(Biology) Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies.
Average
The apportionment of financial liability resulting from loss of or damage to a ship or its cargo.
Normal
Relating to or designating the normality of a solution.
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
Normal
Abbr. n Designating an aliphatic hydrocarbon having an acyclic unbranched chain of carbon atoms.
Average
Amount to or achieve as an average rate or amount over a period of time; mean
Annual inflation averaged 2.4 per cent
Normal
Being at right angles; perpendicular.
Average
A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function.
Normal
Perpendicular to the direction of a tangent line to a curve or a tangent plane to a surface.
Average
See arithmetic mean.
Normal
Relating to or characterized by average intelligence or development.
Average
An intermediate level or degree
Near the average in size.
Normal
Free from mental illness; sane.
Average
The usual or ordinary kind or quality
Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.
Normal
The usual, expected, or standard state, form, amount, or degree
Temperatures have been above normal for this time of year.
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.
Normal
(Mathematics) A perpendicular, especially a perpendicular to a line tangent to a plane curve or to a plane tangent to a space curve.
Average
The loss of a ship or cargo, caused by damage at sea.
Normal
According to norms or rules or to a regular pattern.
Organize the data into third normal form.
Average
The incurrence of damage or loss of a ship or cargo at sea.
Normal
(mathematics) Adhering to or being what is considered natural or regular in a particular field or context:
Average
The equitable distribution of such a loss among concerned parties.
Normal
Usual, healthy; not sick or ill or unlike oneself.
John is feeling normal again.
Average
A charge incurred through such a loss.
Normal
Teaching teachers how to teach to certain norms
My grandmother attended Mankato State Normal School.
Average
(Nautical)Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.
Normal
(chemistry) Of, relating to, or being a solution containing one equivalent weight of solute per litre of solution.
Average
(Mathematics)Of, relating to, or constituting an average.
Normal
(organic chemistry) Describing a straight chain isomer of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic compound in which a substituent is in the 1- position of such a hydrocarbon.
Average
Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale
A movie of average length.
A player of average ability.
Normal
In which all parts of an object vibrate at the same frequency normal mode]].
Average
Usual or ordinary in kind or character
A poll of average people.
Average eyesight.
Normal
In the default position, set for the most frequently used route.
Average
Assessed in accordance with the law of averages.
Normal
(geometry) Perpendicular to a tangent of a curve or derivative of a surface.
The interior normal vector of an ideal perfect sphere will always point toward the center, and the exterior normal vector directly away, and both will always be co-linear with the ray whose' tip ends at the point of intersection, which is the intersection of all three sets of points.
Average
(Mathematics)To calculate the average of
Average a set of numbers.
Normal
(geometry) A line or vector that is perpendicular to another line, surface, or plane.
Average
To do or have an average of
Averaged three hours of work a day.
Normal
A person who is healthy, normal, as opposed to one who is morbid.
Average
To distribute proportionately
Average one's income over four years so as to minimize the tax rate.
Normal
A person who is normal, who fits into mainstream society, as opposed to those who live alternative lifestyles.
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.
Normal
The usual state.
His workload is now back to normal.
Heavy workload is the new normal.
Average
(mathematics) The arithmetic mean.
2=The average of 10, 20 and 24 is (10 + 20 + 24)/3 = 18.
Normal
According to an established norm, rule, or principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural; analogical.
Deviations from the normal type.
Average
(statistics) Any measure of central tendency, especially any mean, the median, or the mode.
Normal
According to a square or rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle; as, a line normal to the base. Specifically: Of or pertaining to a normal.
Average
Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss.
Normal
Standard; original; exact; typical.
Average
Customs duty or similar charge payable on transported goods.
Normal
Any perpendicular.
Average
Proportional or equitable distribution of financial expense.
Normal
A straight line or plane drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular to the curve or surface at that point.
Average
(sports) An indication of a player's ability calculated from his scoring record, etc.
Batting average
Normal
Something regarded as a normative example;
The convention of not naming the main character
Violence is the rule not the exception
His formula for impressing visitors
Average
In the corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
Normal
Conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal;
Serve wine at normal room temperature
Normal diplomatic relations
Normal working hours
Normal word order
Normal curiosity
The normal course of events
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.
Normal
In accordance with scientific laws
Average
(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.
The average age of the participants was 18.5.
Normal
Being approximately average or within certain limits in e.g. intelligence and development;
A perfectly normal child
Of normal intelligence
The most normal person I've ever met
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.
Normal
Forming a right angle
Average
Typical.
The average family will not need the more expensive features of this product.
Average
(informal) Not outstanding, not good, banal; bad or poor.
Average
(transitive) To compute the average of, especially the arithmetic mean.
If you average 10, 20 and 24, you get 18.
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.
Average
(transitive) To divide among a number, according to a given proportion.
To average a loss
Average
(intransitive) To be, generally or on average.
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.
Average
A tariff or duty on goods, etc.
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.
Average
Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc.
Average
In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
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.
Average
According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution.
Average
To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.
Average
To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
Average
To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.
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
Common Curiosities
Can average and normal be the same?
In some contexts, an average value might be considered normal, but this isn't always the case.
How do you calculate an average?
Add all the numbers in a set together and then divide by the count of those numbers.
How is 'normal' defined?
Normal refers to what conforms to a standard, is typical, or expected within a given context.
What does 'average' mean?
Average refers to the central point of a dataset, calculated as the sum of all values divided by their number.
What role do outliers play in determining an average?
Outliers can skew an average, making it higher or lower than the central tendency of the rest of the dataset.
Is it important for data to be normal in statistical analysis?
Many statistical tests assume normality, so non-normal data can affect the validity of these tests.
What is a 'normal distribution' in statistics?
A normal distribution is a bell-shaped curve where most occurrences take place around the central peak, decreasing symmetrically towards the ends.
How does median differ from average?
Median is the middle value in a dataset when it's ordered by size, which can differ from the average calculated as a mean.
Is it possible for something to be average but not normal?
Yes, if an average is skewed by outliers or doesn't fit within the typical range of values, it might not be considered normal.
How can an average be misleading?
If the data has significant variability or outliers, the average might not accurately represent the dataset's overall trend.
How does culture affect what's considered normal?
Cultural norms and values significantly influence what behaviors or conditions are deemed normal within a community.
Can something be normal without being average?
Yes, normalcy can involve a range of values or behaviors, not just the statistical average.
What's the significance of a normal distribution in statistics?
It's a fundamental distribution pattern used in various statistical analyses and theories.
How does one determine what's normal in a given context?
Normal is often determined by societal standards, cultural norms, or statistical data.
Can normal change over time?
Yes, societal norms and what's considered typical can evolve, changing what is deemed normal.
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Written by
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.
