Average Definition and 1000 Threads

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. Often "average" refers to the arithmetic mean, the sum of the numbers divided by how many numbers are being averaged. In statistics, mean, median, and mode are all known as measures of central tendency, and in colloquial usage any of these might be called an average value.

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  1. C

    Arrow hitting a target average force question

    Homework Statement A 8.0×10−2 kg arrow hits the target at 25 m/s and penetrates 3.8 cm before stopping. Homework Equations What average force did the target exert on the arrow? What average force did the arrow exert on the target? The Attempt at a Solution I found the...
  2. C

    What is the average magnetic dipole moment?

    Though this might be absurd, I would seriously like to know the average magnetic dipole of a magnet. For example, you might consider a regular magnet in a remote control car's motors, or any other suggestions too. And I have one more doubt- I know that e.m.f=-d(phi)/dt and phi=integral(B.dS)...
  3. C

    Flat Plate Heat Exchanger. Find average convection HT coefficient

    Homework Statement In this flat plate heat exchanger, rippled plates (0.3 m thick each) create channels that allow heat transfer between a hot and a cold fluid. Conduction occurs then from the heat temperature difference between the two fluids while convection occurs as the fluids move...
  4. L

    Calculating Average Speed: Step-by-Step Guide for East and North Travel

    Homework Statement A car travels east at 86 km/h for 6 h. It then travels 50.0° east of north at 112 km/h for 6 h. (a) What is the average speed for the trip? How do I solve for the average speed?
  5. K

    Finding average acceleration by combining constant velocity vectors

    Homework Statement The given data is a graph depicting the distance (km) that a bus travels over 3.5 hours. The trip is broken up into three linear segments. I am supposed to find the average acceleration over the entire trip in km/hr^2. I am told that the answer will be negative. Edit...
  6. N

    Derivation of the average translational kinetic energy of a molecule

    Homework Statement Hello, this is not actually a homework problem. I just can't seem to understand the derivation of the average translational kinetic energy of a molecule. I am startled by the way the velocities are added. Homework Equations My undergraduate level textbook says...
  7. C

    Average and instantaneous velocity(Orginal right?)

    Homework Statement A car is stopped at a traffic light. It then travels along a straight road so that its distance from the light is given by x(t) = bt^2 - ct^3, where b = 2.40 m/s^2 and c = 0.100 m/s^3. 1. Calculate the average velocity of the car for the time interval t = 0 to t = 10.0...
  8. K

    Standard Deviation the average

    Not sure if this is where this question belongs because the course I am doing is predominately calculus based (Applied Physics, University level) but we have a small statistics component for obvious reasons. Any who, sorry if it's in the wrong spot. Homework Statement Intravenous fluid bags...
  9. I

    How do I find the average speed for this problem?

    Homework Statement I don't know how to start.. someone please give me a step-by-step explanation. Julie drives 100 mi to Grandmother's house. On the way there she drives half of the distance at 42 mi/hr and half the distance at 68 mi/hr. What is Julie's average speed (in mi/hr) on the way to...
  10. I

    Finding the average velocity for this problem

    Homework Statement Larry leaves home at 9:01 and runs at constant speed 400.0 yards due west to a lamppost. He reaches the lamppost at 9:06, immediately turns and runs due east 1000.0 yards to a tree. Larry arrives at the tree at 9:11. What is Larry's average velocity (in yd/min) for the...
  11. J

    Average velocity just simply be the average speed

    Hi peeps, i just started intro physics but finding it sort of difficult, and attempting to do some questions but just not quite sure if I am doing it right. would so appreciate any kind of help, my teacher doesn't seem to break it down enough for me lol. can somebody just check my work, and let...
  12. S

    Magnitude of the average acceleration

    A 49.0-g Super Ball traveling at 27.0 m/s bounces off a brick wall and rebounds at 19.0 m/s. A high-speed camera records this event. If the ball is in contact with the wall for 3.65 ms, what is the magnitude of the average acceleration of the ball during this time interval? I converted 3.65...
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    Calculating Average Speed and Velocity for a Commuting Student

    Homework Statement A commuting student leaves home and drives to school at an average speed of 42.0 km/h. After 22.0 min she realizes that she has forgotten her homework and returns home to get it at the same average speed. It takes 8.0 min to find the report, after which the trip to school...
  14. B

    Average Velocity of a Runner in 1500m Race

    Homework Statement What is the average velocity of a runner whose 400 meter lap times are 60, 75, 65 and 60 seconds over a 1500 meter race? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Is I use v=d/t (would the displacement be 0m beacuse he completed 1 lap? Im a bit...
  15. D

    Average value for the squared momentum in the harmonic oscillator

    Hi, I'm trying to resolve a problem (17-2) of Pauling's book (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics ), but I'm not achieving this integration. So, I ask for your help. The problem says: Calculate \overline{p_{z}²} (where p_{z} = momentum in z direction and \overline{x} = average value of x...
  16. D

    Speed, change in velocity, and average acceleration

    Homework Statement At t = 0, an automobile traveling north begins to make a turn. It follows one-quarter of the arc of a circle of radius 10.5 m until, at t = 1.42 s, it is traveling east. The car does not alter its speed during the turn. Find the car's speed. Find the change in it's velocity...
  17. U

    Calculating Average Speed and Velocity for a Honeybee's Round Trip

    A honeybee leaves the hive, flies in a straight line to a flower 6 km away in 10 min, and then takes 10 minutes to return (also in a straight line). a.) Please find the distance traveled and displacement for the entire trip: distance travelled: I know the distance total is 12 km...
  18. S

    Average Speed Vs. Direct Average?

    I'm having trouble differentiating between the definition of average in physics and a traditional average. For example, say a car travels 100km for 2 hours then travels 80km for 1 hour. The average speed for the first portion is 50km/hr and the average speed for the second portion is 80km/hr...
  19. L

    Mean, Deviation (DEV), and Average (DEV)? question

    For the following data set of eight values, give the MEAN, DEVIATION (DEV), and AVERAGE DEVIATION (AD). Show a sample calculation for each: 0.77, 0.92, 1.12, 1.00, 0.96, 0.88, 1.16, 1.02 Homework Equations Well before we began, can anyone take the courtesy and see if I'm getting the...
  20. P

    Zero average speed but nonzero average velocity?

    Homework Statement Is it possible to have zero average speed but nonzero average velocity? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution This is probably completely wrong, but I'll put it up anyway: If one's frame of reference is also the center of an arbitrary circle, then an...
  21. C

    How do I find missing terms in kinematic equations?

    An Olympic sprinter can accelerate from rest out of the blocks to a top speed of about 11.5 m/s. This is accomplished in the first 15 m of a race. What is the average acceleration of the first sprinter? Given- vi- 11.5 m/s Distance-15m Vf-? t-? Which formula do I use to find these...
  22. U

    Max, min and average of the sum of 3 functions

    hi, i have these 3 functions [PLAIN]http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/2230/provakd.jpg i must calculate the resultant function, and to find the max, min and the average.. i have tried to calculate it, i have found these values (max=53; min=38; average=43) but the solution in my book are...
  23. N

    Average of function vs. function evaluated at average

    Dear everyone, consider a function f(x) of a random variable x with average m and probability distribution p(x). I would like to know under which conditions the average of f(x) is greater than f(m), i.e., under which conditions is the average of the function greater than the function...
  24. G

    Schools Does Your Average Percentage Matter in College?

    In my graduating high school class there were 10 people who all had the same GPA, they had straight A+s. Like in most high schools all awards and student ranking was all based on your average percentage not GPA. Like I hope what I'm trying to say makes sense. There were 10 crazy people who...
  25. P

    What is the difference between average speed and average velocity?

    hey guys I am very new to physics and its just not making sense at the moment and i know this is a very simple question but i just don't get how to get the velocity ! I've worked out the average speed but i have no idea what the next step is to get the velocity, any hints would be very much...
  26. 1

    Average speeds of back and forth trip

    Homework Statement You drive on Interstate 10 from San Antonio to Houston. Half the time at 55 km/h, and the other half at 90 km/h. On the way back, you travel half the distance at 55 km/h and the other half at 90km/h. What is the average speed of the trip from San Antonio to Houston...
  27. I

    What is the average value of the positive y-coordinates of an ellipse?

    Homework Statement Find the average value of the positive y-coordinates of the ellipse x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1 I don't know where to begin, please help.
  28. 1

    Calculating Average Velocity: Family Trip from Hither to Yon

    Homework Statement A family travels from hither to yon one afternoon. On this day, the driver spends half the distance traveling at 77 km/hr and the remaining half at 50 km/hr. What is the average speed during the trip? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I assumed that...
  29. M

    How many values of x make the mean and median of a set of numbers equal?

    Let f(x) be the mean of five numbers: 4, 5, 7, 9 and x. Let g(x) be the median of the same numbers. For how many values of x, a real number, is f(x) = g(x)? I only got 2. x = 0, 10 There are 3 though. Perhaps someone can help me find the other one.
  30. A

    Average Velocity from V-T Graph w/ Non-Constant Accel.

    How does one get the average velocity from a velocity vs. time graph, when acceleration is not constant.
  31. D

    How Is Average Induced Voltage Calculated in a Rotated Coil?

    Homework Statement A coil with 10 windings(radius 0,07m) is inside a homogenous magnetic(B=0,050T) field, it makes an angle of 90 degrees with the field lines so the magnetic flux is at it's max. Over a period of 0,050 seconds it gets turned by 180 degrees, what is the average induced...
  32. D

    Deriving the Average Value of a Function using the Mean Value Theorem

    Homework Statement If fave [a,b] denotes the average value of f on the interval [a,b] and a<c<b, show that fave[a,b] = (c-a)/(b-a) fave[a,c] + (b-c)(b-a) fave[c,b]Homework Equations All i know is the mean value theorem for integrals is f(c) = fave = 1/(b-a) integral(f(x),x,b,a) The Attempt...
  33. V

    Why is Average Velocity Defined Differently in Calculus?

    Homework Statement When I looked a physics for a while, I learned that average velocity is the sum of the initial and final velocities divided by two. However, I looked through one of my calculus books and it defined average velocity as the change in displacement over the change in time. Could...
  34. R

    Fun Challenge - weighted average of global rankings

    ***Fun Challenge -- weighted average of global rankings*** Goal The goal is to create a weighted average of global rankings. Does not have to be perfectly accurate (if that was even possible). Specific Example To make this problem less abstract and easier, we are going to use a specific...
  35. P

    Expression for the time average power dissipated in a resistance R

    Homework Statement A square loop with side-length a is positioned at the centre of a long thin solenoid, which has radius r (with r > a), length l and N turns. The plane of the loop is perpendicular to the 5axis of the solenoid. A current I = I0 sin ωt flows through the loop. Derive an...
  36. C

    Questions about % difference, inherent error, and % relative average difference.

    1. Done in a lab: % difference: 0.679%, inherent error: 0.7%, % RAD: 0.941%. Anyway, I'm just having trouble interpreting what they mean in comparison to each other. What does the inherent error say about the % difference? And what does it mean if my %RAD is greater than my inherent error...
  37. C

    How Is Average Acceleration Calculated for an Arrow on a Bow?

    Homework Statement I will just try to post the whole questions, maybe my idiot eyes missed something... an arrow is accelerated for a displacement of 75cm [fwd] while it is on the bow, if the arrow leaves the bow at a velocity of 75m/s [fwd] what is it's average acceleration while it's on...
  38. S

    Current: Average vs. Instantaneous.

    ---- A silver wire 2.6mm in diameter transfers a charge of 420 C in 80min . Silver contains 5.8*10^28 free electrons per cubic meter. What is the current in the wire? ----- I have correctly solved this problem using I= Q/t, but I am a bit confused by this. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this...
  39. I

    Help verify this question about average acceleration?

    Homework Statement A car traveling in a straight line has a velocity of 5.51 m/s at some instant. After 7.36 s, its velocity is 8.09 m/s. What is its average acceleration in this time interval? Answer in units of m/s^2. Homework Equations avg. acceleration = (v2 - v1) / (t2 - t1)...
  40. A

    Find k in y=kx: linear regression or just average of (y/x)?

    Dear all, let's say I want to know the elasticity constant of a spring (k), so I measure several times different values for the force applied to the spring, F, and the displacement of the spring, x. So, for N measures, I have xi and Fi and their uncertainties. Now, I'm really not an expert of...
  41. R

    Average power when capacitor discharges

    Homework Statement https://wug-s.physics.uiuc.edu/cgi/courses/shell/common/showme.pl?cc/DuPage/Phys1202/summer/homework/Ch-21-DC-Circuits/flashbulb_circuit/light-bulb.jpg The above shows a simplified circuit for a photographer's flash unit. The circuit consists of a V = 9 V battery...
  42. D

    Calculate Average Velocity: Help with 10 Secs Project

    Hi I am trying to work this out, but i just cannot find anything on how to work it out, I need to create this for a project and need to calculate itQuestion A Simple single loop generator, the loop has a length of 40mm and diameter 20mm. The flux density is 0.8 Tesla and the loop rotates at 50...
  43. O

    Average friction force on a falling apple

    Homework Statement "A 0.15 kg apple falls from a branch 20 m above the ground. If it hits the ground with a speed of 17 m/s, what was the average friction force (due to air resistance) exerted on the apple?" Homework Equations At first, I thought I would use conservation of energy, PE = KE +...
  44. K

    Probability of an event is p, average attempt until p happens?

    Say there is a chance p of an event happening each attempt. How many attempts (on average) would it take for this event to occur once? For example, say the event is a racquetball player hitting a killshot, which he has a 20% chance of doing every shot. On average, how many shots until he hits...
  45. A

    Average relative distance between 2 functions

    Hi All, Sorry perhaps for a stupid question, but I am pretty confused by this one... Suppose I have two different smooth functions, f(x) and g(x) both defined on a closed interval [a,b]. How do I calculate the average relative distance between the all values of these functions (say relative...
  46. T

    Several ascii files, read, write, average?

    Hi, I have the following problem, can anyone help? I have 744 simple ascii files. Each of them has the following format: One line header and a column of values. The column has 275648 values (rows). The target is to create 248 simple ascii files (744/3). Each of the new files has the...
  47. D

    Calculating Average Binding Energy per Nucleon in Deuterium

    Homework Statement Calculate the average binding energy per nucleon in the deuterium nucleus. Homework Equations Average binding energy= total binding energy/mass number The Attempt at a Solution Would i first have to find the mass of the nucleus and then the difference in mass? My...
  48. G

    Unsure if I should be using average velocity to solve this problem

    Homework Statement The velocity of the transverse waves produced by an earthquake is 6.96 km/s, while that of the longitudinal waves is 12.0408 km/s. A seismograph records the arrival of the trans- verse waves 59.4 s after that of the longitudi- nal waves. How far away was the...
  49. Y

    Calculate average power in one cycle.

    Homework Statement This is part of a bigger problem, I simplify to just: P=k sin^2 \omega t How do I integrate over one cycle? The Attempt at a Solution \left\langle P \right\rangle = \int_0^T k\; sin^2 (\omega t) d t \;\hbox { where }\; T= \frac c f = \frac {2\pi}{ \omega}...
  50. W

    Car and Train with Average Velocity

    A train leaves the train station at 9:00 am and travels at a constant speed of vt = 65 km/hr on a straight track. At 10:30 am, a car leaves the same train station and travels in the same direction at vc = 115 km/hr on a road next to the train track. a.How far from the station is the place...
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