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Averages summarise a set of values in one way or another. Without further qualification it most commonly refers to the arithmetic mean, but other averages such as root-mean-square exist.

In its most general definition, an average is a summary of a set of values. Normally it refers to the arithmetic mean, but other means may be employed (geometric, harmonic, etc.) or a transformation may be applied before and after taking a mean (e.g. root-mean-square).