1. In Mathematics:
* Average: The mean is a measure of central tendency, calculated by summing all the values in a dataset and dividing by the number of values. It represents the "typical" value in a dataset.
* Example: The mean of the numbers 2, 4, and 6 is (2+4+6)/3 = 4.
2. In General Language:
* Unkind, Nasty, or Cruel: This is the most common meaning of "mean" in everyday language. It describes someone who is intentionally unkind, rude, or malicious.
* Example: "The mean bully took my lunch money."
* Miserly, Ungenerous: This meaning refers to someone who is unwilling to share or spend money.
* Example: "The mean boss refused to give us a raise."
* Bad-tempered, Unpleasant: This meaning describes someone who is irritable, grumpy, and unpleasant to be around.
* Example: "He was in a mean mood after losing the game."
3. In Other Fields:
* Mean (in statistics): This is a specific type of average where the sum of the squared deviations from the mean is minimized.
* Mean (in physics): Refers to the average value of a quantity, often used in the context of wave phenomena.
To understand the meaning of "mean" in a specific context, you need to pay attention to the surrounding words and the general topic being discussed.