Submitted by [deleted] t3_z3m0u4 in Showerthoughts
phadrus56 t1_ixmctkh wrote
May I please see the justification for this. I would assume 5 was average.
A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function.
An intermediate level or degree.
The usual or ordinary kind or quality.
100LittleButterflies t1_ixmh1by wrote
I think they're referring to grades. A 70% is a c which is called Average in the states. But in reality, it's the last grade you can have before failing.
phadrus56 t1_ixmjenf wrote
That makes more sense. Thank you.
talkingprawn t1_ixmrumo wrote
5 is only average if the distribution of data points makes 5 the average. If the set has 1,1,4,6,9,9, the average is 5. If it has 1,2,2,3,7, the average is 3.
So for instance if most people rate a book at a 7, the average is 7.
phadrus56 t1_ixmwyn9 wrote
It says a 7 out of 10. My bad, I assumed 1 thru 10 was the number set.
talkingprawn t1_ixmxanx wrote
1-10 is the set of possible values. Every data point is between 1 and 10.
phadrus56 t1_ixn9srh wrote
And assuming one of each number 5 is average.
talkingprawn t1_ixnt6ky wrote
That’s a really specific assumption. Correct, if you specifically tailor the data to make 5 average, then 5 will be average.
phadrus56 t1_ixo0uqb wrote
When people say 1 to 10 most people assume one 10 numbers 1 of each.
talkingprawn t1_ixo6dyo wrote
Sure if you’re talking about your individual response. But if you ask 100 people to rank something from 1-10, and most people cluster around 7 as their answer, then the average will be 7. You’re thinking about it from the wrong perspective.
phadrus56 t1_ixoap8w wrote
Please provide a citation for that.
talkingprawn t1_ixob2ro wrote
Sorry, what? You want a citation for the existence of statistics? This is the definition of average. It’s the midpoint of a dataset.
For context, how old are you? I’m happy to share if you’re just learning this stuff. Your question seems very strange.
phadrus56 t1_ixobj41 wrote
I want proof most people choose 7. Sounds made up to me.
And in response to your question I'm 66 and know the 3 types of lies... Lies, damn lies and statistics.
talkingprawn t1_ixodfz7 wrote
And 62.3% of statistics are made up on the spot :).
I do believe the average score on tests is in the 70’s. I’ve also found things in the past indicating that the average book rating is in the 7’s. I’m not going to dig up references right now.
But for me the point is, it’s totally contextual. 7 totally can be the average.
phadrus56 t1_ixouckd wrote
So no proof Ok. Good day.
talkingprawn t1_ixp7wv3 wrote
Jesus. If you want proof, look at literally any rating system, like on Amazon, Hulu, or Goodreads. The average rating on goodreads is 3.7 out of 5, aka 7.4 out of 10. They’re not all exactly 7, no. But it sure as hell isn’t 5 out of 10. 5 is the middle rating (2.5 is in this case), not the average.
The average high school GPA is 3.0 out of 4.0 — aka 75% or 7.5 out of 10.
It totally varies depending on the data set. It can be 5 sometimes! But that’s coincidental. In a ton of cases, it’s 7-ish.
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