Variable and Mean

noun

• Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation.
  • usage: "the weather is one variable to be considered"
• A quantity that can assume any of a set of values.
  • synonyms: variable quantity
• A star that varies noticeably in brightness.
  • synonyms: variable star
• A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity.

adjective

• Liable to or capable of change.
  • usage: "rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable"; "variable winds"; "variable expenses"
• Marked by diversity or difference.
  • usage: "the varying angles of roof slope"; "nature is infinitely variable"
  • synonyms: varying
• Used of a device) designed so that a property (as e. G. Light) can be varied. (
  • usage: "a variable capacitor"; "variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights"

• (n.) Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
• (n.) That which is variable; that which varies or is subject to change.
• (a.) Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable.
• (n.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.
• (a.) Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity.
• (n.) A shifting wind or one that varies in force.

Variable is an element in a model. For example, in the model RS&Pt+1 = a + b Tbill t + et, where RS&Pt+1 is the return on the S&P in month t+1 and Tbill is the Tbill return at month t, both RS&P and Tbill are "variables" because they change through time; i. E., they are not constant.

noun

• An average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n.
  • synonyms: mean value

verb

• Mean or intend to express or convey.
  • usage: "You never understand what I mean"; "what do his words intend"
  • synonyms: intend
• Have as a logical consequence.
  • usage: "The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers"
  • synonyms: entail, imply
• Denote or connote.
  • usage: "`maison' means `house' in French"; "An example sentence would show what this word means"
  • synonyms: intend, signify, stand for
• Have in mind as a purpose.
  • usage: "I mean no harm"; "I only meant to help you"; "She didn't think to harm me"; "We thought to return early that night"
  • synonyms: intend, think
• Have a specified degree of importance.
  • usage: "My ex-husband means nothing to me"; "Happiness means everything"
• Intend to refer to.
  • usage: "I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France"; "Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip"
  • synonyms: think of, have in mind
• Destine or designate for a certain purpose.
  • usage: "These flowers were meant for you"

adjective

• Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value.
  • usage: "the average income in New England is below that of the nation"; "of average height for his age"; "the mean annual rainfall"
  • synonyms: average
• Characterized by malice.
  • usage: "a hateful thing to do"; "in a mean mood"
  • synonyms: hateful
• Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality.
  • usage: "that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble- Edmund Burke; "taking a mean advantage"; "chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort- Shakespeare; "something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics"
  • synonyms: base, meanspirited
• Excellent.
  • usage: "famous for a mean backhand"
• Marked by poverty befitting a beggar.
  • usage: "a beggarly existence in the slums"; "a mean hut"
  • synonyms: beggarly
• Used of persons or behavior. ( characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity)
  • usage: "a mean person"; "he left a miserly tip"
  • synonyms: mingy, miserly, tight
• Used of sums of money. ( so small in amount as to deserve contempt)
  • synonyms: beggarly
• Of no value or worth.
  • usage: "I was caught in the bastardly traffic"
  • synonyms: bastardly

• (n.) A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.
• (superl.) Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
• (n.) That through which or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.
• (v.i.) To have a purpose or intention.
• (n.) Meantime; meanwhile.
• (n.) That which is mean or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure.
• (superl.) Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
• (a.) Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day.
• (n.) A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the square root of the product of the quantities.
• (v.t.) To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do ?.
• (a.) Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes.
• (v.t.) To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.
• (n.) A mediator; a go-between.
• (superl.) Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.
• (superl.) Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble.
• (superl.) Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
• (a.) Intermediate in excellence of any kind.
• (n.) Hence: Resources; property, revenue or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.

Mean is often considered as the simple arithmetic average of the sum of the observed values divided by the number of observations. The simple unweighted mean of the listed four observations: 8, 12, 10 and 14 is 11. This statistic is computed by (8+12+10+14=44) 44 divided by 4. The geometric mean of the same four observations is 10. 77. It is computed by multiplying each observed value and then deriving the nth root of that number. The geometric mean can only be equal to or less than the comparable arithmetic mean.